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5 things to know about Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng

By Jake Paynting

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: Gorgui Dieng #10 of the Louisville Cardinals cuts down a piece of the net as Louisville celebrates their 82-76 win against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: Gorgui Dieng #10 of the Louisville Cardinals cuts down a piece of the net as Louisville celebrates their 82-76 win against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4. He is a NCAA National Champion

Gorgui Dieng is as much like he was in college — the least flashiest, yet thoroughly effective player — as he is now.

Over his three years at Louisville, he proved to be the defensive anchor that would provide a wall that would make his teammates, like Peyton Siva and Russ Smith, who were both drafted in the second-round of the 2013 and 2014 drafts, respectively, look like lottery picks.

And it culminated in a national championship.

Dieng averaged nearly 10 points and 10 rebounds while posting an absurd 3.2 blocks per 40 minutes. (Shockingly, the block rate was down from his 3.9 mark from the year before.)

His defensive presence and steady offensive game have been prominent since he burst on to the NCAA stage, and has carried over in his four-year NBA career. He has improved on his shooting stroke, and after never hitting a 3-point basket at Louisville, finished the 2016-17 NBA campaign shooting over 37 percent on 43 attempts. It serves as proof that the 27-year-old is still growing offensively, which will be key to his newfound bench role, helping provide a scoring presence in the second unit.

Minnesota fans will be hoping that Dieng can bring the type of success to the Twin Cities that he brought to Louisville.

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