Tag: Sidy Cissoko

Spurs rookie Sidy Cissoko discusses challenges of rookie season

San Antonio Spurs rookie Sidy Cissoko recently spoke about the challenges of his rookie season.

The San Antonio Spurs were headlined by French phenom Victor Wembanyama, who became the first-ever unanimous Rookie of the Year and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. But he wasn’t the only French rookie on the team. Sidy Cissoko also joined the squad for the 2023-24 campaign.

Cissoko spent most of the year with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate. He enjoyed a successful year overall, but it came with a ton of challenges. Cissoko recently spoke with the “HOOPSIDIA” YouTube channel about the ups and downs of his rookie year and how he dealt with them.

Most notably, Cissoko opened up about the depression he fell into while in Austin. (H/t Jeff Garcia of KENS 5)

“Most of the time, I’m in the G League and, therefore, in Austin, and my apartment doesn’t get much daylight. It’s really depressing,” said Cissoko.

And when he got injured toward the end of the season, things got worse.

“I’m not going to lie. The last few months, when I was injured, I fell a bit into depression. It was difficult because I was looking for something to do,” Cissoko said.

Luckily, he learned of ways to improve himself and get out of his funk.

“I finally learned to keep busy. Now I put my phone aside, I bought a piano to learn to play, and I clear my head,” said Cissoko. “Now I have fun with the piano; I play quite a bit.”

Cissoko should have a chance to see an increased role in San Antonio moving forward.

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Sidy Cissoko shares appreciation for Spurs support at G League game

The San Antonio Spurs went to support their G League teammates on Tuesday night in Utah, and Sidy Cissoko appreciated it.

The San Antonio Spurs picked up a win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, defeating Gregg Popovich’s former assistant coach Will Hardy by a score of 118-111. Devin Vassell’s 31 points and Victor Wembanyama’s return to action after a one-game absence, they brought home their second straight victory.

But that’s not where their time in Utah began. While they could have stayed in and prepared for their game against the Jazz, they went out to Salt Lake City to support their teammates on Tuesday night. Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and Julian Champagnie went to watch the Austin Spurs take on the Salt Lake City Stars in a G League game.

After the game, rookie Sidy Cissoko spoke about how much he appreciated the support. (H/t Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News)

“I appreciate them showing us some love,” Cissoko said. “I love them. We are brothers. We had a tough game and we are trying to make the playoffs, so they did a great job to support us.”

Against the Stars, Cissoko put up 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists while shooting 9-of-21 from the field and 2-of-7 from distance.

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Gregg Popovich on Spurs rookie Sidy Cissoko’s time in G League

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich recently spoke about Sidy Cissoko’s G League development.

When fans think of the French rookie on the San Antonio Spurs, minds jump to Victor Wembanyama, and rightfully so. The 20-year-old big man has been absolutely incredible this year and has a real shot at bringing home the Rookie of the Year award. But he’s not the only French rookie they have on the roster.

San Antonio drafted Sidy Cissoko in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He has only appeared in five games for the Spurs this season, but he’s been getting some significant run in the G League with the Austin Spurs. The Spurs are tracking his development closely.

Head coach Gregg Popovich recently spoke about how Cissoko has been doing and how he wants him to approach his development. (H/t Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News)

“He’s getting minutes with the G League,” Popovich said. ‘”I want him to get as many minutes as possible. He is doing the best he can and trying to figure out what kind of player he is going to be just like everybody else in the G League.”

In 11 G League games so far, Cissoko has averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 41.5% from the field and 15.0% from behind the three-point line.

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Spurs’ Gregg Popovich on Sidy Cissoko: ‘I want him to get as many minutes as possible’

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wants rookie Sidy Cissoko to play as much as possible in the G League over the remainder of the season.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said on Thursday that the team wants rookie Sidy Cissoko to play as much as possible in the G League over the remainder of the season.

Cissoko has appeared in only five games with the Spurs and has spent most of the season on assignment with Austin. He and the team agreed that he would stay in the G League for the majority of the year to continue his development and improve his skills.

The Spurs recalled Cissoko from the G League on Thursday after he helped Austin beat the South Bay Lakers. With Austin off until Wednesday, Cissoko will likely stay in San Antonio.

Popovich explained the immediate plan for him.

“He is getting minutes with the G League,” Popovich said. “I want him to get as many minutes as possible. He is doing the best he can and trying to figure out what kind of player he is going to be, just like everybody else in the G League.”

Cissoko is averaging 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal on 43.7% shooting from the field in 21 games with Austin. He has registered two 20-point games, including a season-high 22 points and nine rebounds on Dec. 28.

The Spurs have utilized their G League affiliate extensively in previous years. Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham and Tre Jones spent time in Austin and found success there. Cissoko seeks to follow in their footsteps.

The organization is high on Cissoko and believes he has a bright future. With one month left in the regular season in the G League, the team looks to get him on the court as much as possible.

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Spurs recall Sidy Cissoko from G League ahead of Raptors game

The San Antonio Spurs recalled Sidy Cissoko from the G League ahead of their game against the Toronto Raptors.

According to Noah Magaro-George of Air Alamo, San Antonio Spurs PR has announced that the team has recalled rookie Sidy Cissoko from the G League. The 19-year-old rookie has yet to make his NBA debut after spending last season with the G League Ignite.

Cissoko played very well during Summer League for the Spurs, and he earned a standard contract with the team rather than a two-way deal. San Antonio picked him with the 14th pick in the second round. Their recalling of Cissoko comes on the day of their contest against the Toronto Raptors, and Cissoko is already getting ready.

According to a video posted by Spurs World on Twitter, Cissoko was the first Spur out on the court for pre-game warm-ups.

Are you excited to see Cissoko on the court for the Spurs at some point this season?

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Spurs’ Sidy Cissoko to join Austin Spurs for G League training camp

Spurs rookie Sidy Cissoko has been assigned to the Austin Spurs ahead of the start of the G League regular season.

San Antonio Spurs rookie Sidy Cissoko has been assigned to the Austin Spurs ahead of the start of the G League regular season, the team announced.

Cissoko will participate with Austin during its training camp, which will be held at the Victory Capital Performance Center, the organization’s new practice facility in San Antonio. The team will tip off its season on the road on Nov. 10 against the Birmingham Squadron.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich previously said Cissoko would likely spend much of the season in the G League. There, Cissoko will have the opportunity to log extended minutes.

“It would be unwise to have him on the varsity team, so to speak, and sit there and watch us play where he can play 30 minutes or so a game and start to figure it out,” Popovich said on Oct. 9. “But we’ll see. He could surprise me and progress a lot further than I think.”

Cissoko was the 44th pick by the Spurs after playing last season with the G League Ignite. He made five appearances during the preseason, totaling two points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in 45 1/2 minutes.

He has yet to appear in a regular-season game.

Cissoko became a second-round pick because of his ability to score, pass and defend with his 6-foot, 9 3/4-inch wingspan. He also has tremendous athleticism and had a number of highlight-reel dunks with the Ignite last season.

The organization has utilized its G League affiliate extensively. Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham and Tre Jones each spent time in Austin and found success there. Cissoko hopes to become the latest player to take advantage of the program.

“I’m ready because I knew in the beginning I wouldn’t get like 20 minutes on the first team already,” Cissoko said this month. “I knew when we were talking about the contract that this would happen. I will be with (Sir’Jabari Rice) and Dom (Barlow). (Other players on the team) went to the G League to play, so I won’t say no.”

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Spurs’ Sidy Cissoko ready for opportunity to play in G League

Cissoko is looking forward to play with Austin this season in the G League to further his development.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said rookie Sidy Cissoko will start the season in the G League, and the 44th pick is ready for that opportunity.

Cissoko is all too familiar with the G League after playing last season with the Ignite. He averaged 11.6 points, 3.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and one steal on 43.5% shooting from the field. He produced eight 20-point games and competed in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

The Spurs will send Cissoko to their affiliate in Austin once the G League season starts next month. He will have the chance to log extended playing time and continue his development.

“I’m ready for that because I knew in the beginning I wouldn’t get like 20 minutes on the first team already,” Cissoko said this week. “I knew when we were talking about the contract that this would happen. I will be with (Sir’Jabari Rice) and Dom (Barlow). (Other players on the team) went to the G League to play, so I won’t say no.”

Cissoko became a second-round pick because of his ability to score, pass and defend with his 6-foot, 9 3/4-inch wingspan. He also has tremendous athleticism and had a number of highlight-reel dunks with the Ignite last season.

The organization has utilized its G League affiliate extensively in the past, as Cissoko referenced. Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham and Tre Jones each spent time in Austin and found success there.

The Spurs will work with Cissoko throughout the year to get him ready to contribute on a regular basis in the NBA. He seeks the same success others before him have.

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Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan, Sidy Cissoko show love to San Antonio FC

San Antonio Spurs youngsters Jeremy Sochan and Sidy Cissoko recently showed up to a San Antonio FC game.

The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most legendary organizations in NBA history, but over the past four years, they’ve suffered a momentary fall from grace. It’s the longest playoff drought in franchise history, but moving forward, they’re primed to refind the greatness that has defined their team for decades.

Obviously, the Spurs organization will be headlined by Victor Wembanyama for years to come, but they have plenty of other young players who fans should be excited about, too. Guys like Jeremy Sochan and Sidy Cissoko are promising young pieces, and those two recently showed love to the San Antonio community.

Sochan and Cissoko showed up at a recent San Antonio FC game and were kicking some soccer balls around, much to the delight of the San Antonio crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Fa1MYZ3U1ws

What are you looking forward to most about Sochan and Cissoko next year?

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Report: No. 44 pick Sidy Cissoko signs 3-year contract with Spurs

Cissoko debuted with the Spurs in summer league, averaging 4.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in seven games.

Former G League Ignite forward Sidy Cissoko, the 44th pick in the NBA draft, signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs, the team announced.

The terms of the contract were not revealed, but Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported it was a three-year pact. Cissoko was likely signed via the second-round pick exception, which would have a team option in the last year.

Cissoko averaged 11.6 points, 3.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and one steal on 43.5% shooting from the field in 43 games with the Ignite. He produced eight 20-point games and was among the players who competed in the NBA Rising game at All-Star Weekend.

Cissoko, 19, was one of four French players drafted this year, joining teammate Victor Wembanyama (No. 1), Bilal Coulibaly (No. 7) and Rayan Rupert (No. 43). It marked the third time that at least four French players were selected in the same year (2016, 2022).

The 6-foot-7 forward has represented France multiple times, including most recently in the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship. He averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in seven games as the Frenchmen finished in fifth place.

Cissoko debuted with the Spurs in summer league, averaging 4.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in seven games between Sacramento and Las Vegas. He finished off his stay in the desert with his best game: 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists on July 16.

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Report: Spurs sign rookie Sidy Cissoko to 3-year contract

The San Antonio Spurs have signed second-round rookie Sidy Cissoko to a three-year contract, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Drafted with the 44th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Cissoko spent this past season with the G League Ignite. …

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The San Antonio Spurs have signed second-round rookie Sidy Cissoko to a three-year contract, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Drafted with the 44th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Cissoko spent this past season with the G League Ignite. However, Cissoko is from France, giving him a connection to Victor Wembanyama.

Cissoko put together an impressive showing in Summer League. While he didn’t shoot particularly well from the field, he was great in every other facet of the game. In five Summer League appearances, Cissoko averaged 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He shot 36.0% from the field and 22.2% from behind the three-point line.

The rookie’s mix of ball-handling, playmaking, and crafty finishing was earning him early comparisons to Spurs legend Manu Ginobili.

He was also a force on the defensive side of the ball. Cissoko’s strong frame at 6-foot-7 allowed him to body smaller opponents and act as a wall on that end of the floor.

Adding him to the current Spurs core on a guaranteed deal is a huge win for San Antonio, but it comes at a cost.

With Cissoko’s standard deal and Dominick Barlow’s two-way contract, the Spurs now need to release or trade three players by Opening Night.

The Spurs currently have 18 players on the roster, and the slew of veterans they employ seem most likely to get the axe. Guys like Khem Birch and Devonte Graham could be waived, and even a youngster like Charles Bassey might find himself on the chopping block with Wembanyama, Zach Collins, and Sandro Mamukelashvili firmly in place.

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