Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlights area Ousmane Dieng has seen a 'huge jump' in

Three years into his NBA career, it appears Ousmane Dieng is finally finding his groove with the OKC Thunder.

With the slew of injuries that ravaged their roster during the preseason, particularly down in their frontcourt, the expectation coming into 2024-25 was that the former lottery pick could finally come across some consistent minutes playing with the varsity team.

Such a happening became quite frequently throughout preseason play, where he raised his stock with high-end stat lines and on-court efforts. He would finish this stretch of play out with averages of 11.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks.

Now, through five games played in the regular season, it appears this level of production has carried right on over.

Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers proved to be Dieng's best showing of the campaign yet, as he contributed to Oklahoma City's 137-114 blowout win in a multitude of ways by dropping 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block in just shy of 20 minutes of play.

From his top-notch energy to the new-found toughness he's been exuding on the hardwood, it's evident that the 21-year-old is amid something of a career renaissance and, following their latest win against the Blazers, coach Mark Daigneault credited one particular aspect of the forward's game that he's seen a "huge jump" in which, as a result, has helped lead to such improved production.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault hypes up physicality of Ousmane Dieng

"He's always had a great feel [for the game], but the physicality that he's bringing to the game is just a huge jump developmentally. He's worked really hard for that. He had a great summer... I'm really happy for him that he's contributing the way he is," Daigneault said of Dieng.

Daigneault would credit both his offseason training and, more within the public stratosphere, his stint last year with the Thunder's NBA G League club, the OKC Blue for his uptick in play to kick off his junior season in the association.

While with their developmental league affiliate, Dieng went on to serve as a driving force in their championship run, averaging 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks throughout the regular season and dropping 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks during the G League Finals en route to winning Finals MVP.

With this brand of production, it seems as if the youngster has come into 2024-25 with a heightened level of confidence, and the opportunities he's come across with guys like Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams all sidelined with health-related ailments have allowed him to put this on full-display during these early stages of the campaign.

Hopefully he can remain consistent moving forwar