Drew Cisse
Getty
Drew Cisse during his time with Western Illinois in November 2023
The Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, has long served as a proving ground for overlooked talent, often to the organization’s benefit.
On Thursday night, as the Blue Coats edged the Wisconsin Herd 105-103, second-year center Drew Cisse delivered a performance that demanded attention.
Logging 40 minutes, Cisse finished with 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting, but it was his work on the glass that defined the night. The 25-year-old hauled in a staggering 26 rebounds, 20 of them on the offensive end.
In the process, Cisse not only set a new Blue Coats franchise mark but also broke the G League record for offensive rebounds in a single game.
The previous record of 18 had been held by Day’Ron Sharpe since 2022, according to GTV Hoops.
Philadelphia 76ers G League Pipeline Delivers Again
Cisse’s impact extended well beyond rebounding. He also chipped in five assists, one steal, and two blocks, anchoring a gritty team effort that saw Delaware dominate the glass 64–40.
Saint Thomas led all scorers with 33 points, knocking down four triples while adding eight rebounds. Malcolm Hill followed closely with 28 points and nine boards as the Blue Coats found production throughout the lineup.
“Just a character win,” Blue Coats head coach JP Clark said. “This is one of the games you remember as a player, just coming in with eight guys and just finding a way to totally gut it out and find a way to get a big home win.”
Across 17 regular-season games, Cisse is averaging 5.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting an efficient 58.6% from the field.
His activity level stands out league-wide. Cisse ranks third in the G League with 63 offensive rebounds, ninth with 26 blocks, and 15th overall with 128 total rebounds.
While scoring isn’t his calling card, there have been flashes. He’s reached double figures three times, highlighted by a 16-point effort on January 24 against the Motor City Cruise, a game in which he also grabbed 14 rebounds, 10 offensive, to go with a steal and a block.
He’s recorded double-digit rebounds four times this season and blocked five shots in a January 8 win over the Windy City Bulls, reinforcing his defensive presence.
A Winding Path to Delaware
Cisse’s sophomore professional season didn’t begin in Delaware. He initially suited up for the Mexico City Capitanes, appearing in just two games before being waived and subsequently claimed from the player pool by the Blue Coats in December.
As an undrafted rookie, he spent time with the San Diego Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. Across 36 games, mostly in a limited bench role, he averaged 2.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and just under a block per contest.
That followed a productive college career at Western Illinois, where Cisse posted 8.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior, earning Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
For the 76ers, the G League remains a vital evaluation space, a competitive environment that allows for extended looks without committing an NBA roster spot.
Cisse is currently on a standard G League contract, typically a short-term arrangement, but his early returns have been encouraging.
He may not fill the box score offensively, yet his rebounding, defense, and connective play reflect a skill set that often earns longer evaluations, and eventually NBA consideration.
With a defined role and consistent minutes, Philadelphia may have quietly uncovered another under-the-radar talent worth monitoring closely.