Cool story on Cisse, W's summer leaguer

(A different article than the one Walker gave about Cisse's story)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ciss...cnnsi&type=lgns

Cisse's second chanceMarty Burns, SI

It's NBA summer league time, which means lots of stories about players trying to keep alive their NBA dreams. In other words, lots of stories about guys like Ousmane Cisse.

If that melodic name rings a bell, it should. At one time Cisse (pronounced see-say) was a hot prospect in NBA circles, a McDonald's All-American. Now, he's better known as a poster child -- along with Korleone Young and Leon Smith -- for the NBA's stay-in-school program.

Cisse will be trying to shed that label when he takes the court as a member of the Golden State Warriors at this year's L.A. Summer League, which tips off Saturday. "I'm just looking for an opportunity," said Cisse.

For those who don't remember the details, Cisse's story is borderline tragic. As a senior at St. Jude High in Montgomery, Ala., the 6-foot-9, 250-pound man-child averaged 29 points, 16 rebounds and 12 blocked shots per game. He was considered one of the best big men in the country -- along with the likes of Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry -- and was recruited by Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Cincinnati, among others.

But in a game midway through his senior year he went up for an alley-oop and landed awkwardly on his left knee. The diagnosis: Torn ACL. Cisse tried to come back that season, but it was clear he wasn't the same player.

This is where Cisse's story gets sad. Instead of putting his NBA dreams on hold and going to college, where he could rehabilitate his knee and further his education, he listened to the advice of his (now former) agent and declared for the 2001 draft.

With raw skills and a bum knee, he was quickly exposed in NBA workouts. His stock plummeted. The Nuggets took a flier on him in the second round (No. 47 overall), but released him in training camp.

Cisse, now 21, admits it was a bad idea. The son of educated parents in Mali, Africa, he didn't need the money. He should have known, he said, that he wasn't going to make it with a bad knee and that the NBA wasn't going to wait around for him.

"It was not a good choice," he said. "If I'd gone to college, they would have had time to work with me, make my leg strong and after one or two years I'd have been ready to go to next level."

Now Cisse must chase his NBA dreams the hard way. Since washing out in Denver, he has slowly worked his knee back into playing shape while earning paychecks in Russia and the USBL. Last year he landed a spot on the Magic's summer league team. Though he didn't make the final roster, former Orlando GM John Gabriel was impressed.

"He's as close as they get physically, and does a great job," Gabriel said. "He just has to learn to put it together on a consistent basis."

Cisse's sculpted NBA body, work ethic and 7-foot-4 wingspan were enough to convince the Warriors to give him another shot this year. Former NBA star Kermit Washington, who has been working out with Cisse in the D.C. area this summer, predicts they won't be disappointed. Washington says Cisse could be another Ben Wallace.

"This kid is a phenomenal athlete, he's the hardest-working kid I've ever seen and he's a sponge when it comes to learning," Washington said. "He blocks shots like he's got a racket in his hands. All he needs is a chance."

Cisse says he just wants to prove to the NBA doubters that he's back. He says his knee is now 100 percent, and that he's improved his offensive game around the basket. He longs for the day when he won't hear Dickie V. and others mention his name with preps-to-pros busts Young and Smith.

"I was one of the top players coming out of high school," said Cisse. "I was up there with Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, all those guys. What happened was I got hurt. I wasn't healthy. I couldn't compete like I used to.

"Now, I'm 100 percent. My knee is strong. I'm a different player. I know I can make it. All I need is an opportunity."

The NBA summer league is full of similar stories, but Cisse's might be the most distressing. Only time will tell if he can write a happy ending.

 

Good article. The Ben Wallace comparison struck a chord with me. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

I'd really like to see this kid make it. Who knows, with Montgomery coaching the Warriors, it may be his second chance at college. I also like the fact that Duke was recruiting him. If Coach K saw something in him, I'd have to think Montgomery would see the same thing. He's certainly got all the character traits Mullin and Montgomery are looking for.

 

Man you're right walk, I smell another fan favorite coming up if he's as exciting as they say he is. I just hope his injuries don't limit his impact like before.

 

Man, he AVERAGED 12 blocked shots per game. haha. Sounds good to me. He could be that star we have been looking for. The comparison to Ben Wallace is almost freakish. His size, his shot blocking ability, his abnormal road to the NBA. Go Cisse!

 

I think he's smaller than Ben Wallace. But you know with guys that are new to the league, blocking all those shots, I bet the refs are going to be calling him for fouls where he got all ball. It's going to suck, actually unless the refs are unbiased (but you know sometimes they aren't like Kobe always getting away with traveling).

 

I've been high on Cisse for a very long time. His freakish wingspan, his work ethic...you just can't go wrong. Hopefully he can earn a spot on this team. Put him on the IL and let him develop for a year under the guidance of Monty!

 

If he turns out to be anything like Ben Wallace when it comes to the all around defensive game, I hope they spend the money on him. I'm a huge fan of Big Ben. The guy is just everywhere. It's awesome.

 

Wasn't he on the sonics roster last year or was that the other HSchooler?
I'm skeptical that this guy's potential ended with his knee injury. It seems like players never fully revoer from those injuries.

 

So is this guy a C or PF?
Sounds like he'd be worth taking a chance on if he is 100%..especially if he's a center.
If he truly developes into another Ben Wallace and Biendris lives up to the hype we could have a complete shutdown defensive..I love the thought of that..

 

This is the first time I ever heard of Cisse, he sounds to good to be true. I hope that he turns out to be as good as advertise. The warriors could sure used a break and Cisse sure seems to fit the Warriors as a glove if he plays to his potential.

 

He's only about 6-7 (I don't know if that's in shoes or not), but he's got a 7-4 wingspan and a standing reach of over 9 feet which is just incredible. By comparison, Kris Humphries is 6-8.25 with a 7 foot wingspan and 8-10.5 standing reach, Al Jefferson is 6-8.5 with a 7-2 wingspan and 9-2 standing reach, and Okafor is 6-8.75 with a 7-4 wingspan and 9.2-5 standing reach. So basically, he's very capable of playing pf, especially with his incredible leaping ability.

As for the torn ACL, every recent article I've read has said that he's fully recovered and has regained basically all of his explosiveness. The only problem, and its a big one, is that he just doesn't know how to play the game. His instincts aren't great and his knowledge is low. But, the one thing no one ever questions is his heart. When I read about him, I see a lot of parallels between him at this age and Ben Wallace.

I still remember watching Wallace when he was on the Wizards and they played against GSW. Physically, he was just a little smaller than he is now, but he wasn't nearly as aggressive as he is now, he just looked sort of lost out there. I'd imagine that's how Cisse will look for the next few years. I don't expect him to come in and be next year's version of Boykins and Cardinal, but I can see him developing into a real player in a few years.

 

This is also the first time I have ever heard of the guy but I am anxious to see him play and hopefully make the Warriors roster. Any guy with that kind of defensive ability earns my respect pretty quick.

 

I thought the article said he was 6'9". But either way 7-4 wingspan. Sign me up!

 

Maybe with shoes he's 6'9", you know how they like to add a bit of height here and there. Ben Wallace is 6'7", so you never know.

 

Anyone have any photos of this guy to post?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone have any photos of this guy to post?</div>

Here are a couple some pics I found:

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I didnt know Cisse was a Globe Trotter!

 

That last pic looks like Ben Wallace.

 

Here's a profile on Cisse tha you guys might want to check out:

http://www.ibiblio.org/craig/draft/2001_dr...ers/cisse.shtml

Some of the things that stood out to me in the profile are:

- "Hustles and gives 110 percent never will you see him not giving it his all"
- "Powerful rebounder tenacious on the glass just goes for every rebound that's around him no matter where it is"
- "Very good work ethic and is coach-able something that will be very valuable for whoever gets to the pros"

It also mentions the height issue, and how even though he is listed at 6'9, he is more like 6'7.

 

He is so young too that he is going to gain some more muscle. Lets see how he does. When is the first summer league game? Is anyone watching it? Let us know how everyone plays.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bay_Area_Fan:</div><div class="quote_post">
- "Hustles and gives 110 percent never will you see him not giving it his all"
- "Powerful rebounder tenacious on the glass just goes for every rebound that's around him no matter where it is"
- "Very good work ethic and is coach-able something that will be very valuable for whoever gets to the pros"

It also mentions the height issue, and how even though he is listed at 6'9, he is more like 6'7.</div>
Yeah, he sounds like he's going to be a fan favorite. I don't think his height will be a problem because the dude sounds long. He dominated guys like Tyson Chandler and Curry back in the Nike games and those guys are closer to 7 feet than he is (Chandler is 7'0-7'1). And don't forget guys like Jrich dunk over 6'11 dudes like 7 feet away from the rim and the guy's like 6'3 (he ain't 6'6 Warriorsfansnc93 took a picture with Jrich and he'll tell you all about it if you doubt this) Guys like Jrich, Pietrus, Foyle, and Dunleavy all have inspector gadget arms for their height but are probably a bit shorter in height than advertised since they are pretty long dudes.