Mamadou N'diaye
Encyclopedia
Mamadou N'Diaye is a Senegal
ese professional basketball
player. After a college career at Auburn University
, in the United States, N'Diaye was drafted by the Denver Nuggets
in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft
. He played for the Toronto Raptors
, Dallas Mavericks
, Atlanta Hawks
, Los Angeles Clippers
in the NBA
. He most recently played for Maccabi Haifa
.
, Mike LaPlante
(later coached Jacksonville State University
) served as a consultant with the Senegalese Basketball Federation. N'Diaye was part of the federation's development program and had a desire to continue his studies and improve his basketball skills in the United States. Mamadou matriculated to a prep school in Pittsfield, Maine (Maine Central Instititue) and excelled playing for Max Good (currently the head basketball coach at Bryant College). Following his Post Grad year, N'Diaye enrolled at Auburn University, where LaPlante was an assisiant, and played for Cliff Ellis (currently the head basketball coach at Coastal Carolina University) from 1996–2000.
Upon completion of his senior year N'Diaye was drafted in the 1st round of the NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.
's career record for blocks. His long reach and athleticism made him the anchor of Auburn University
's defense for much of his time there.
His averages per game during his senior season there were 26.3 minutes, 8.9 points, 8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 2.2 turnovers, and 3.1 fouls. He made 2.9 of 5.5 field goals (53%) and 3.1 of 4.6 free throws (67%) that senior year. He finished his college career with averages of 21.7 minutes, 6.8 points on 50.7% shooting and 64.1% free throws, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 turnovers and 1.9 blocks per game. He left Auburn with the record for the most number of blocked shots.
in the 2000 NBA Draft
. He was one of the oldest players ever selected in the NBA draft at 25 years of age. In January 2001, N'Diaye was traded with Keon Clark
and Tracy Murray
to the Toronto Raptors
in exchange for Kevin Willis
, Aleksandar Radojević
, Garth Joseph
, a second round draft pick and a $564,603 trade exception.
N'Diaye appeared in his first NBA game during the 2000-01 season with the Raptors. He played in Toronto through the 2002-03 season
. His tenure in Toronto coincided with that of the tail-end of that of veteran All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon
's. Mamadou admits, "practicing against Hakeem helped me tremendously."
He signed with the Dallas Mavericks
in January 2004 but was released later that month. He signed with the Atlanta Hawks
in February 2004 but was assigned to the Asheville Altitude of the NBDL. In March 2004, he was released by the Hawks and returned to the Altitude. He also signed again with the Hawks later that month.
N'Diaye signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
in August 2004 but was waived in June 2005. In 11 games with the Clippers, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per contest.
In October 2005, he joined the Golden State Warriors
, wearing number 32, but was waived later that month. He signed with PAOK BC
later that season.
He played in 69 games in the NBA
, averaging 3.8 points on .427 shooting and .736 free throws with 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 fouls and 0.9 blocks in 12.4 minutes.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. After a college career at Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
, in the United States, N'Diaye was drafted by the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft
2000 NBA Draft
The 2000 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2000 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Until 2011, it was the last draft held at the home arena of an NBA team; the following and subsequent drafts have all taken place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. This draft is...
. He played for the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
, Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He most recently played for Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa B.C.
Maccabi Haifa Basketball Club is a professional Israeli basketball club that belongs to the Maccabi Haifa association. After a 10-year absence, the team returned to the top division in 2008–09.-History:...
.
Early years
As an assistant basketball coach at the University of MaineUniversity of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
, Mike LaPlante
Mike LaPlante
Michael McCormick LaPlante is an American college basketball coach, who coached Jacksonville State University for eight seasons. His contract was not renewed following the 2007-08 season. Before becomong the head men's basketball coach at JSU, LaPlante served as an assistant coach at Auburn...
(later coached Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and...
) served as a consultant with the Senegalese Basketball Federation. N'Diaye was part of the federation's development program and had a desire to continue his studies and improve his basketball skills in the United States. Mamadou matriculated to a prep school in Pittsfield, Maine (Maine Central Instititue) and excelled playing for Max Good (currently the head basketball coach at Bryant College). Following his Post Grad year, N'Diaye enrolled at Auburn University, where LaPlante was an assisiant, and played for Cliff Ellis (currently the head basketball coach at Coastal Carolina University) from 1996–2000.
Upon completion of his senior year N'Diaye was drafted in the 1st round of the NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.
College career
N'Diaye got off to a slow start at Auburn but improved every year. In his junior year, he broke Charles BarkleyCharles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
's career record for blocks. His long reach and athleticism made him the anchor of Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
's defense for much of his time there.
His averages per game during his senior season there were 26.3 minutes, 8.9 points, 8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 2.2 turnovers, and 3.1 fouls. He made 2.9 of 5.5 field goals (53%) and 3.1 of 4.6 free throws (67%) that senior year. He finished his college career with averages of 21.7 minutes, 6.8 points on 50.7% shooting and 64.1% free throws, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 turnovers and 1.9 blocks per game. He left Auburn with the record for the most number of blocked shots.
NBA career
N'Diaye was the 26th first-round selection by the Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the 2000 NBA Draft
2000 NBA Draft
The 2000 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2000 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Until 2011, it was the last draft held at the home arena of an NBA team; the following and subsequent drafts have all taken place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. This draft is...
. He was one of the oldest players ever selected in the NBA draft at 25 years of age. In January 2001, N'Diaye was traded with Keon Clark
Keon Clark
Arian Keon Clark is a former American National Basketball Association player.After a collegiate career at two different junior colleges and UNLV, Clark was selected 13th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft but was traded to the Denver Nuggets...
and Tracy Murray
Tracy Murray
Tracy Lamonte Murray is a retired American professional basketball player who played for six different NBA franchises and two Greek clubs, with a final stint in France...
to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
in exchange for Kevin Willis
Kevin Willis
Kevin Alvin Willis is a former American professional basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He is a 7-foot power forward/center...
, Aleksandar Radojević
Aleksandar Radojevic
Aleksandar Radojević is a professional basketball player who plays for APOEL in Cyprus.-Early life:Radojević was born in either Herceg Novi, or Bijela,Montenegro, or Trebinje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, all in the now former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
, Garth Joseph
Garth Joseph
Garth McArthur Fitzgerald Joseph is a Dominican professional basketball player who previously played in the NBA....
, a second round draft pick and a $564,603 trade exception.
N'Diaye appeared in his first NBA game during the 2000-01 season with the Raptors. He played in Toronto through the 2002-03 season
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
. His tenure in Toronto coincided with that of the tail-end of that of veteran All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008,...
's. Mamadou admits, "practicing against Hakeem helped me tremendously."
He signed with the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
in January 2004 but was released later that month. He signed with the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
in February 2004 but was assigned to the Asheville Altitude of the NBDL. In March 2004, he was released by the Hawks and returned to the Altitude. He also signed again with the Hawks later that month.
N'Diaye signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in August 2004 but was waived in June 2005. In 11 games with the Clippers, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per contest.
In October 2005, he joined the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, wearing number 32, but was waived later that month. He signed with PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
later that season.
He played in 69 games in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
, averaging 3.8 points on .427 shooting and .736 free throws with 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 fouls and 0.9 blocks in 12.4 minutes.