Age

19.2

Height

6'8"

Weight

200

Workload

MIN%

73.8

USG%

18.2

TS%

60.9

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

14.2

REB

3.0

AST

4.0

STL

1.3

BLK

1.0

TOV

2.0

Efficiency

RIM FG%

60.4

MID FG%

13.3

3PT FG%

32.6

FT%

67.8

Jump to full report

Report by: Neema Djavadzadeh

Sidy Cissoko

Forward G League Ignite

Bulky connector wing with tons of upside.

Age

19.2

Height

6'8"

Weight

200

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

14.2

REB

3.0

AST

4.0

STL

1.3

BLK

1.0

Positions Defended

Offensive Role

 

Defensive Role

   

Meet Sidy Cissoko.

The youngest of the 5 G League Ignite 2023 draft class, Sidy Cissoko comes from a heralded overseas career. He’s been an integral member of the France U18 team for their last two major tournaments. He also grew up in the Baskonia basketball system in Spain, before playing in the Spanish second league for Juaristi ISB. Now, Cissoko has shown to improve on his overseas performance with G League Ignite, a team that has amplified his strengths and improved on his weaknesses.

Offense

Sidy muscle up dunk

Playing in a similar role to 2022 top 10 pick Dyson Daniels, Sidy has been the secondary initiator on the court for Team Ignite so far this season. Sidy started off the season hot from 3, but has since regressed, shooting 32.6% from 3. However, he’s made his money getting to the rim, shooting 60%. His added strength since going to Ignite has made him a force going downhill and with his athleticism and quickness, he’s able to muscle through bigger wings and forwards.

Sidy lob to ghost screener ; Sidy bounce pass to cutter

Regularly when watching Ignite games, you will hear the commentator’s call Cissoko “the best passer on the team.” Even with probable top 2 pick Scoot Henderson on the team, this may be true. Cissoko has had some incredible passes this season, threading gaps and finding teammates early. He’s able to regularly make skip passes and is a great outlet pass threat. His handle is a bit weak, often high and loose. Sidy is apparently recently grown to 6’8″, so this could be attributed to the growth spurt, although it was loose before the growth spurt too. Sidy projects to be a connector and secondary initiator in an offense, with the ability to occasionally get his own shot.

Defense

Sidy was a subpar defender for the majority of his playing career, but has found a new turn during his time with G League Ignite. He’s become a great waller on drives and has really improved his defensive rotations. Cissoko is currently averaging 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per 70 possessions, an improvement from his numbers overseas.

Sidy’s on-ball defense has shown great improvement as well and has become way more patient and less handsy. He’s done a great job of guarding in space. He uses his strength well defensively to wall off drivers and not give space when backed down. His balance and core strength have really improved since the beginning of the season.

Sidy’s combination of strength, quickness and size as well as his improved feel defensively has made him from a defensive dud to a plus defender. His long wingspan helps him get into passing lanes and with his ability to handle the ball, makes him a transition threat. Sidy can guard multiple positions, and adds a lot of versatility with his ability to bang down low and cover the outside. His improvement as a defender in one year gives a lot of hope for future development on this end.

Overall

Sidy Cissoko is a very creative wing who can add versatility to an NBA offense. His shooting improvements give hope for a player who can attack a defense in multiple ways, as he is also one of the best passers in the class. With his defensive improvements and physical tools Cissoko gives hope to be a positive NBA level defender. With a developmental team that will focus on his shooting and helping continue his progress on both ends, Cissoko could become a creative starting level player at the next level.

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