It’s rare for a team to acquire a former 11th overall pick who is only 22, as the Milwaukee Bucks recently did. After being shuffled between teams multiple times before the trade deadline, Ousmane Dieng has landed on the Bucks roster without a clear role yet, leaving questions about how he will fit into the team’s rotation moving forward.
Dieng shows plenty of promise at just 22, with room to grow as a player. Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he has the size and length that make a difference in a league built on athleticism. Over four seasons with OKC, he averaged 12 minutes per game, never getting a consistent chance to show the full range of what he can bring.
6’9” with a 7’0” wingspan.
22 years old.
Already has a smooth middy pull up.
I’ve seen enough.
Ousmane Dieng is a future Bucks legend.
pic.twitter.com/GoNFDzy5tB
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) February 10, 2026
During Monday’s road matchup at Kia Center against the Orlando Magic, the Bucks rolled out two new additions, with veteran guard Cam Thomas and young forward Ousmane Dieng making their debut in Milwaukee uniforms.
Ousmane Dieng with the Bucks
Feb 9, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (93) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Dieng saw action late in the fourth quarter when Bucks coach Doc Rivers put him on the floor during the Magic blowout. The 2022 first-round pick by the New York Knicks made the most of his opportunity, scoring a basket in his debut for Milwaukee.
The young Bucks guard stands out as a largely untapped talent, a player who remains mostly a mystery. Drafted young and given limited minutes, his true potential is still hidden, and he could already have the tools of an All-Star without anyone noticing. The Thunder clearly valued him highly, trading three first-round picks to select him on draft night in 2022.
Feb 9, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jevon Carter (2) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Bucks have an opportunity the Thunder never fully explored by giving Dieng meaningful minutes. So far, that chance has been limited as he did not play at all in his first game and saw only five minutes in garbage time during Milwaukee’s loss to the Magic. He has mostly been an afterthought in the rotation, and a player cannot reach his potential without the chance to prove himself.