Introduction to Oldest NBA Rookie
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Every year, the league drafts an impressive group of talented players who have the potential to make an impact on the game. However, there is one special player who stands out among the rest – the oldest NBA rookie.
Who is the Oldest NBA Rookie?
The oldest NBA rookie is Mamadou N’Diaye, a 37-year-old center from Senegal. He was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. N’Diaye had a successful college basketball career and was considered one of the best players in the country. He had previously played professionally in Europe before coming to the United States.
Mamadou N’Diaye’s Basketball Career
College
Mamadou N’Diaye began his college basketball career at the University of California Riverside in 2002. He was an impact player for the team and helped them to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006. N’Diaye was named to the All-Big West Conference first team in 2004 and 2005 and the All-Big West Conference second team in 2006. He was also named the Big West Player of the Year in 2006.
Europe
After college, N’Diaye signed with Spanish team Lleida Basquet in 2008. He played four seasons with the team and helped them to the Spanish League Championship in 2010. He also had stints in France and Italy before returning to Spain in 2013.
Mamadou N’Diaye’s Professional Career
Houston Rockets
In 2016, Mamadou N’Diaye was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA draft. He was the oldest rookie in the league at 37 years old. Despite his age, N’Diaye was in great shape and showed he could still compete with the younger players. He played a total of 17 games for the Rockets during the 2016-17 season and averaged 1.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.
International Career
In addition to his professional career, N’Diaye also represented his home country of Senegal in international competition. He was a member of the Senegalese National team from 2002 to 2013 and was the team captain from 2010 to 2013. He helped lead the team to the African Championship in 2005 and the FIBA AfroBasket Championship in 2011.
Mamadou N’Diaye’s Retirement and Legacy
Mamadou N’Diaye retired from basketball in 2017 and is now living in his home country of Senegal. He is remembered as one of the oldest players in NBA history, as well as a great example of perseverance and determination. N’Diaye is also remembered for his hard work and dedication to the game of basketball.
Notable Oldest NBA Rookies Throughout History
Mamadou N’Diaye may be the oldest NBA rookie in history, but he is not the only one. Here is a list of other notable oldest NBA rookies:
- Dikembe Mutombo: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1991 at the age of 24. He went on to become a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
- Vlade Divac: Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989 at the age of 23. He retired in 2005 after 16 seasons in the NBA.
- Dirk Nowitzki: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998 at the age of 20. He is currently the all-time leading scorer in Dallas Mavericks history.
- Karl Malone: Drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1985 at the age of 21. He is currently second in all-time career points scored in the NBA.
- Kobe Bryant: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 at the age of 17. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Conclusion
Mamadou N’Diaye is the oldest NBA rookie in history and an inspiration to basketball fans around the world. He is remembered for his hard work and dedication to the game, as well as his determination to overcome obstacles and achieve success. N’Diaye is also a reminder that age is just a number and that anyone can achieve greatness if they put in the effort.
References
- basketball-reference.com/players/n/ndiayma01.html
- nba.com/rockets/news/mamadou-ndiaye-oldest-nba-rookie-history-160628
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamadou_N%27Diaye
- nba.com/article/2016/06/23/2016-nba-draft-mamadou-ndiaye