Olympiacos signs Ndiaye for two years
Olympiacos has confirmed the signing of Mbaye Ndiaye, a 27-year-old Senegalese forward from ASVEL. The player has penned a two-year contract with the Greek club after three seasons in the French league.
Mbaye Ndiaye becomes the new reinforcement for Olympiacos for the upcoming season. The Greek club has officially announced the addition of the Senegalese forward, who has ended his time at ASVEL after three consecutive seasons in French basketball. The agreement reached is for a duration of two years.
A Defensive and Versatile Profile for the Frontcourt
Standing at 2.04 meters, the player brings qualities that align with Olympiacos' philosophy. In the last Euroleague season, Ndiaye averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds over 32 games played. His defensive stats stand out: he recorded 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, showcasing his ability to protect the paint. Additionally, he averaged 1.3 assists, highlighting his versatility in the frontcourt.
A notable aspect of his offensive performance is his 70% accuracy in two-point shooting, demonstrating his reliability near the rim. This characteristic makes him an efficient player who can contribute in crucial moments of the games. His ability to cover both forward positions, whether as a power forward or center, provides the Olympiacos coaching staff with tactical flexibility.
Stats in the French League
In the French domestic league, Ndiaye posted slightly higher averages compared to the Euroleague. The forward played 26 games in the French league, scoring 9.3 points per game and grabbing 5.9 rebounds. His defensive numbers were similar to those in European competition, with 1.0 steal and 1.2 blocks per game on average. He also contributed with 1.5 assists per game, establishing himself as a versatile player in offensive play.
Rotational Replacement After Peters' Departure
Ndiaye's arrival addresses a specific need for Olympiacos. The Greek club sought to bolster their power forward rotation following Alec Peters' departure to Milan in the Italian Serie A. Peters was a three-point shooter with considerable offensive capability, a profile different from what Ndiaye brings.
The Senegalese player offers a more defensive and athletic approach, complementing the existing rotation. He can provide minutes both at the power forward and center positions, playing alongside Nikola Milutinov, Tyrique Jones, and Donta Hall. This positional versatility allows the coaching staff to distribute the workload in the frontcourt more effectively and adjust defensive schemes according to the opponent.
Player’s Professional Trajectory
Ndiaye started his professional career at JL Bourg in 2017, where he spent his initial seasons in European basketball. Subsequently, he moved to ADA Blois, a club he was with from 2020 to 2023. During his time with Blois, he gained experience and improved his performance, enabling him to transition to ASVEL, one of the most ambitious projects in French basketball.
At ASVEL, Ndiaye played three consecutive seasons, establishing himself as a key piece in the team’s rotation. His Euroleague performance earned him recognition at a continental level, attracting the interest of elite clubs like Olympiacos. The Senegalese international joins the Greek club at the peak of his career, with accumulated experience and in full athletic maturity.
The signing of Mbaye Ndiaye represents Olympiacos' commitment to strengthening their defense and versatility in the frontcourt. His athletic ability, offensive efficiency, and defensive versatility position him as a valuable addition to the club's project. The inclusion comes amidst a reorganization of the rotation following Peters’ departure, aiming to maintain competitiveness in national and international competitions.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Olympiacos ficha a Ndiaye por dos años
