Leaving home is sometimes necessary, however difficult it may be. Right too, despite the lump in the throat that looking at what you leave behind can cause, at least for a while. Ousmane Diop he soon had to get used to moving away from the places where his heart had its home. From Rufisque, his hometown in Senegal, to Udine, up to Sassari. All in the space of years in which he became a man from a boy. A man who is now ready to leave that Dynamo with which he became the protagonist with the ball in his hands, until he acted as captain in the final part of the season.
Until we meet again
“He will leave Dinamo and I believe he will go to a high level, he is destined for a big leap, I don’t know if in Italy or in Europe”. The words of Dinamo Sassari GM Federico Pasquini did not leave room for much analysis. After three seasons as a protagonist in the blue and white, with the definitive explosion coming in the second year of management Bucchiand almost six since the signing of the first contract with the Bank, Diop will leave there Sardinia. He will probably do it not in the way he would have liked, because the playoffs are the ideal environment for a player who makes energy and hunger his best characteristics. And because by his admission Sassari has become a family place, with a relationship with the fans that would have deserved a better epilogue. A link which however will not be affected by what happened in the present and what will happen in the future. Especially the one with the little ones, with the tears and hugs gathered during the visit at the San Donato institute on April 22nd which will leave their mark more than any assault on the iron of the PalaSerradimigni.
Vintage
The first season with additional responsibilities clarified why Diop may look to shores with different ambitions. First of all that came he confirms in performances that were not to be taken for granted, after last year with the playoffs finishing with an average of over 12 points and the MVP award of the playoff quarter-finals. In fact, Diop closed the year just ended in 11.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 4 fouls per game and over 13 rating, given the latter a career best. The numbers help to understand his impact, but also how much Sassari suffered tremendously from his absence in the initial period of the season, when a meniscus problem forced the Senegalese to stop which even led to an intervention on the transfer market which was later canceled. Upon his return, the team remained inconsistent, but gave the impression that something was possible change, thanks to the greater consistency in the painting and greater incisiveness in the two-player games. With the match against Brescia of March 17th at the PalaSerradimigni to show signs of a superior player, closed with 28 points and a lot of substance on both sides of the pitch to counter an opponent like Miro Bilan. One of the obvious reasons why it also became difficult for GM Pasquini to try to keep the player in Sassari. But without underestimating that too maturity which became evident at the moment of the change on the bench, when Bucchia coach who definitively changed the course of his career, had to make room for a Markovic with which the results did not change. With the mettle of the Bosnian coach it could have been an ideal taste for the future.
Example
It seems to be too early to think about what the destination for Diop could be, but if Virtus Bologna seemed to have tried to convince Sassari and the player last season, as reported by Republic it would be theOlimpia Milan at the moment the team most interested in the center born in 2000. The possibility of being deployed as an Italian makes Diop’s profile even more attractive, who would thus have the opportunity to compete with thatEuroleague long dreamed of. Whatever the choice, Sassari will be able to look back and be even more convinced of having made the right choice in the past. A choice to look at in a summer of re-foundation in which Dinamo will have to rebuild the Italian team, focusing at least on a young prospect. With the’example of the big Senegalese who could help the club to approach even the most interesting ones, who in Sardinia would find the right time, space and patience to cultivate their future. And why not, write a piece of history of Sassari basketball. Just like Ousmane Diop did.
Matteo Cardia
