DeSagana N'gagne Diop is a Senegalese former professional basketball player who is currently head coach for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League.
16 Facts About DeSagana Diop
2.
DeSagana Diop began practicing basketball at the age of 15 and moved to the US to play for Oak Hill Academy, where he succeeded in averaging 14.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 8.1 blocks during his senior year.
3.
DeSagana Diop was drafted directly out of Oak Hill Academy by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 8th overall pick of the 2001 NBA draft.
4.
DeSagana Diop was the fifth high school player, after Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Ousmane Cisse to declare for the draft.
5.
DeSagana Diop signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent on August 19,2005.
6.
In Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals between San Antonio and Dallas, DeSagana Diop, playing with a broken nose, grabbed three offensive rebounds, and blocked two of Tim Duncan's shots in the second and fourth quarters and overtime.
7.
On February 19,2008, DeSagana Diop was traded to the New Jersey Nets, along with signed-and-traded Keith Van Horn, Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, and roughly $3 million cash and 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks in exchange for Jason Kidd, Malik Allen, and Antoine Wright.
8.
On July 9,2008, DeSagana Diop signed a six-year, $32 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
9.
On January 16,2009, DeSagana Diop was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for guard Matt Carroll and center Ryan Hollins.
10.
DeSagana Diop spent the rest of his playing career with the Charlotte Bobcats.
11.
DeSagana Diop continued to play well for the team; however, the roster had drastically changed in the following seasons and unfortunately he missed the playoffs for the rest of his career.
12.
On September 30,2013, DeSagana Diop signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
13.
DeSagana Diop retired from the NBA shortly after at 31 years old.
14.
On November 11,2014, DeSagana Diop joined the coaching staff of the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League as a player development coach.
15.
On October 3,2016, DeSagana Diop was hired by the Utah Jazz as a coaching associate.
16.
On November 30,2020, DeSagana Diop was hired by the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach.