Sidy Cissoko
{{short description|French basketball player (born 2004)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Sidy Cissoko
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Cissoko with the San Antonio Spurs in 2023
| position = Small forward / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 200
| league = NBA
| team = Portland Trail Blazers
| number = 91
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|4|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Saint-Maurice, France{{cite web|url=https://www.acb.com/jugador/trayectoria-logros/id/30001251|title=Sidy Cissoko|publisher=Liga ACB|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}}
| draftyear = 2023
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 44
| draftteam = San Antonio Spurs
| career_start = 2021
| career_end =
| years1 = 2021–2022
| team1 = Baskonia
| years2 = 2021–2022
| team2 = →Iraurgi SB
| years3 = 2022–2023
| team3 = NBA G League Ignite
| years4 = {{nbay|2023|start}}–{{nbay|2024|end}}
| team4 = San Antonio Spurs
| team5 = →Austin Spurs
| years6 = {{nbay|2024|end}}–present
| team6 = Portland Trail Blazers
| years7 = 2025–present
| team7 = →Rip City Remix
| highlights =
- NBA G League Next Up Game (2023)
- Nike Hoop Summit (2022)
}}
Sidy Cissoko ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|d|i|_|s|ɪ|ˈ|s|oʊ|k|oʊ}} {{respelling|SEE|dee|_|sih|SOH|koh}}; born 2 April 2004) is a French professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League. He previously played for the NBA G League Ignite.
Early life
Cissoko's father, Yaya (or Yakia), was a basketball player who represented Senegal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.{{cite news|url=https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/202210300077.html|title=Basketball - Babacar Sané is getting closer to the NBA|work=Sud Quotidien|date=October 29, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022|language=fr|via=AllAfrica}} Growing up in France, Sidy played basketball from a young age and looked up to Kyrie Irving, seeing as he was shorter than the rest of his teammates at the time.{{cite news|url=https://www.relevo.com/baloncesto/nba/sidy-cissoko-baskonia-rumbo-creo-20230329121805-nt.html|title=Sidy Cissoko, un ex de Baskonia rumbo a la NBA: "Creo que no iré al Mundial, me presento al draft"|work=Relevo|first=Noelia|last=Gómez Mira|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}} He reached the under-15 level with CTC Center Essonne.{{cite web|url=https://mr-stats.frenchbasketballscouting.fr/joueur/cissoko-sidy-9978|title=Toutes les saisons du joueur CISSOKO Sidy|publisher=frenchbasketballscouting.fr|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=fr}}
In 2017, at 13 years of age, Cissoko moved to Spain and joined the youth ranks of Baskonia.{{cite news|url=https://www.relevo.com/baloncesto/nba/junio-2022-febrero-2023-allstar-20230201174255-nt.html|title=Cómo pasar en ocho meses de la LEB Oro al All-Star de la NBA: la proeza de Sidy Cissoko|work=Relevo|first=Noelia|last=Gómez Mira|date=February 1, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdealava.eus/baskonia/2023/03/29/sidy-cissoko-presentara-proximo-draft-6626511.html|title=Sidy Cissoko se presentará al próximo draft de la NBA|work=Noticias de Álava|first=Oscar|last=San Martín|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}} In 2020–21, Cissoko played with the Baskonia reserves in the fourth-tier Liga EBA and averaged a team-leading 17.4 points per game.{{cite web|url=https://baloncestoenvivo.feb.es/estadisticasacumuladas/848224|title=Baskonia {{!}} Liga EBA 2020/2021|publisher=Spanish Basketball Federation|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdealava.eus/baskonia/2021/07/27/canterano-sidy-cissoko-ira-cedido-1092000.html|title=El canterano Sidy Cissoko también se irá cedido al Iraurgi|work=Noticias de Álava|first=Oscar|last=San Martín|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}} He also led the Baskonia junior (under-18) team to a fourth-place finish in the junior national championship while leading the competition in points and assists.
Professional career
Cissoko was called up to the Baskonia first team ahead of the 2021–22 ACB season.{{cite news|url=https://baskonia.elcorreo.com/jovenes-hanzlik-savkov-20210816132027-nt.html|title=Los jóvenes Hanzlik, Savkov y Cissoko harán la pretemporada con el Baskonia|work=El Correo|first=Jon|last=Aroca|date=August 16, 2021|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}} On September 26, 2021, Cissoko made his senior debut for Baskonia at the age of 17, playing 28 seconds in a 72–61 loss to Joventut Badalona.{{cite news|url=https://www.acb.com/partido/cronica/id/102943|title=Triunfo de prestigio del Joventut frente al Baskonia (72-61)|publisher=Liga ACB|date=September 26, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.baskonistas.com/sidy-cissoko-debuto-con-el-baskonia-en-badalona/|title=Sidy Cissoko debutó con el Baskonia en Badalona|work=Baskonistas|first=Ruben|last=Gazapo Ramos|date=September 27, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2023|language=es}} This allowed Baskonia to retain his European rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/nba/20220720/1001839414/leb-oro-g-league-sidy-cissoko-opta-nueva-formativa-nba-ignite-draft.html|title=De la LEB Oro a la G-League: Sidy Cissoko opta por la nueva vía formativa de la NBA|work=Mundo Deportivo|first=Guille|last=Álvarez|date=July 20, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}}
A few days after his debut, Cissoko was loaned out to Baskonia's satellite club, Iraurgi SB, in the second-tier LEB Oro.{{cite news|url=https://www.feb.es/2022/7/10/baloncesto/202122-energia-azpeitiarra-llego-mano-del-talentoso-escolta-sidy-cissoko/90752.aspx|title=2021/22: La energía azpeitiarra llegó de la mano del talentoso escolta Sidy Cissoko|publisher=Spanish Basketball Federation|first=Pablo|last=Romero|date=July 10, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2023|language=es}} He averaged 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32 games played. Cissoko trained with the Baskonia first team as well; he later said he learned a lot from watching Wade Baldwin IV.
Cissoko was invited to play in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, recording three points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in 23 minutes for the World Team in a 102–80 loss to Team USA.{{cite news|url=https://www.usab.com/history/nike-hoop-summit/xxiii-annual-nike-hoop-summit-2022.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125132418/https://www.usab.com/history/nike-hoop-summit/xxiii-annual-nike-hoop-summit-2022.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2023|title=XXIII Annual Nike Hoop Summit -- 2022|publisher=USA Basketball|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=April 22, 2023}}
=NBA G League Ignite (2022–2023)=
On July 19, 2022, it was announced that Cissoko had signed with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental team affiliated with the NBA G League.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34268438|title=NBA draft prospect Sidy Cissoko signs with G League Ignite program|work=ESPN|first=Jonathan|last=Givony|date=July 19, 2022|access-date=April 22, 2023}} Cissoko became the first European player to sign with the Ignite. He pointed to the success of 2022 lottery pick, Dyson Daniels, who played at the NBA Global Academy in Australia before spending the 2021–22 season with the Ignite. At the time of his signing, Cissoko was ranked as the third-best European prospect in his class by Jonathan Givony of ESPN, behind countrymen Victor Wembanyama and Rayan Rupert.
Cissoko was one of four Ignite players chosen to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, recording one rebound, one assist and one steal for Team Jason in a 40–32 loss to Team Joakim.{{cite press release|url=https://ignite.gleague.nba.com/all-star|title=Ignite Set For Exciting NBA All-Star 2023 Slate|publisher=NBA G League Ignite|date=February 7, 2023|access-date=April 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209204414/https://ignite.gleague.nba.com/all-star|archive-date=February 9, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nba-rising-stars-jose-alvarado-mvp/|title=NBA Rising Stars: Jose Alvarado named MVP to lead Team Pau to title|work=Rookie Wire|publisher=USA Today|first=Cody|last=Taylor|date=February 17, 2023|access-date=April 22, 2023}} He was also one of 24 players named to the G League's inaugural Next Up Game.{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2023/2/7/23590240/neemias-queta-frank-jackson-scoot-henderson-g-league-next-up-game|title=Neemias Queta, Frank Jackson and Scoot Henderson selected to play in G League Next Up Game|work=Deseret News|first=Joe|last=Coles|date=February 7, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023}}
On January 16, 2023, Cissoko scored a then-season-high 21 points in a 141–119 defeat to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.{{cite press release |url=https://gleague.nba.com/game/fwn-vs-gli-2022200126 |title=Mad Ants Use Big First Quarter To Top Ignite |publisher=NBA G League |date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2023}} In another loss to the Mad Ants the following day, he scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three.{{cite press release |url=https://gleague.nba.com/game/fwn-vs-gli-2022200132 |title=Mad Ants Hold Off Late Ignite Rally For Sweep |publisher=NBA G League |date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2023}} Cissoko had five straight games of 20 or more points in February and March.{{cite news|url=https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-brandon-miller-scoot-henderson-cam-whitmore/|title=2023 Aggregate NBA Mock Draft: Scoot Henderson stays at No. 2, Cam Whitmore moving up|work=HoopsHype|first=Michael|last=Scotto|date=March 18, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023}} This included a season-high 24-point performance, along with six rebounds and four assists, in a 123–97 loss to the Memphis Hustle on February 24.{{cite press release|url=https://ignite.gleague.nba.com/news/ignite-defeated-by-hustle-123-97|title=Ignite Defeated By Hustle, 123-97|publisher=NBA G League Ignite|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023}} Cissoko tied his season high with 24 points against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on March 15.{{cite press release |url=https://gleague.nba.com/game/sxf-vs-gli-2022200415 |title=Ignite Falls Short in Hard-Fought Battle Against Skyforce |publisher=NBA G League |date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2023}}
For the 2022 - 2023 regular season, Cissoko played in 28 games with the G League Ignite and averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while playing 29.3 minutes per game.https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/?Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season
On March 29, 2023, Cissoko announced he was entering his name in the 2023 NBA draft.
=San Antonio Spurs (2023–2025)=
Cissoko was selected with the 44th overall pick of the draft by the San Antonio Spurs. On July 27, 2023, he signed with the Spurs.{{cite web|title=Spurs Sign 2023 Second Round Draft Pick Sidy Cissoko|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-sign-2023-second-round-draft-pick-sidy-cissoko|website=NBA.com|date=July 27, 2023|access-date=July 27, 2023}}
He was immediately assigned to the Austin Spurs during his rookie season. He played 4 games with the Austin Spurs during the Tip-Off Tournament and averaged 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 27.0 minutes in those 4 games before finally having his NBA debut on November 20, 2023.
In his debut, Cissoko played for 4 minutes and recorded no stats other than 1 turnover as the Spurs suffered a 25-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (99 - 124).https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/202311200SAS.html
Cissoko struggled shooting-wise in the NBA, shooting 1 for 7 FGs in his first 8 games. He gracefully turned this around and in the final 4 games of his rookie season, shot 15 for 26 FGs.https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cissosi01/gamelog/2024
Most of Cissoko's rookie and sophomore seasons would be spent in the G-League.{{cite web|title=2023-2024 Austin Spurs Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/Austin-Spurs/9/Transaction_History/2024|website=RealGM.com|access-date=December 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=2024-2025 Austin Spurs Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/Austin-Spurs/9/Transaction_History/2025|website=RealGM.com|access-date=December 27, 2024}} In his regular season debut with the Austin Spurs on December 28, 2023, Cissoko recorded 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 118 - 117 victory over the South Bay Lakers.
He went on to average 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.3 minutes per game while the Austin Spurs finished with a 20 - 14 record and finished as the 7th seed, thus missing the playoffs.
=Portland Trail Blazers (2025–present)=
On February 3, 2025, Cissoko, alongside Zach LaVine and three first-round picks and two second-round picks, was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for De'Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin, in a deal in which the Spurs also sent Zach Collins, Tre Jones and a 2025-first round pick to the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|title=Kings Acquire Zach Lavine, Sidy Cissoko and Multiple Draft Picks in Three-Team Trade|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-zach-lavine-sidy-cissoko-and-multiple-draft-picks-in-three-team-trade|website=NBA.com|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=February 3, 2025}} On February 5, 2025, Cissoko, along with two second-round draft picks (2028, 2029), was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for center Jonas Valančiūnas,{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/washington-acquires-draft-capital-from-sacramento|title= Washington Acquires Draft Capital From Sacramento|work=NBA.com|date=February 5, 2025}} but was waived the next day.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Washington Wizards Release 2-Year NBA Player After Kings Trade |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/washington-wizards-release-2-year-nba-player-after-kings-trade-cissoko |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Fastbreak On SI |language=en-US}}
On February 8, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.{{cite web|title=Trail Blazers Sign Sidy Cissoko To Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-sign-sidy-cissoko-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=February 8, 2025|access-date=February 9, 2025}}
National team career
Cissoko played for the France national under-18 team at the 2021 FIBA U18 European Challengers. He averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game. At the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship the following year, Cissoko averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"|San Antonio
| 12 || 0 || 11.7 || .485 || .083 || .800 || 1.8 || .8 || .6 || .3 || 3.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2| {{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"| San Antonio
| 17 || 0 || 3.2 || .500 || .429 || .167 || .6 || .4 || .1 || .0 || 1.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Portland
| 5 || 0 || 12.0 || .333 || .000 || .667 || 2.2 || 1.8 || .2 || .2 || 2.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 34 || 0 || 7.5 || .460 || .160 || .625 || 1.3 || .7 || .3 || .1 || 2.3
{{s-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Sidy-Cissoko/Summary/175693 Sidy Cissoko] at RealGM
- [https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko NBA G League profile]
- [https://www.acb.com/jugador/trayectoria-logros/id/30001251 Liga ACB profile]
- [https://www.fiba.basketball/es/player/252433/Sidy-Cissoko FIBA profile]
{{Portland Trail Blazers current roster}}
{{2023 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cissoko, Sidy}}
Category:21st-century French sportsmen
Category:Basketball players from Val-de-Marne
Category:French expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:French expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:French men's basketball players
Category:French sportspeople of Senegalese descent
Category:NBA G League Ignite players
Category:NBA players from France
Category:Portland Trail Blazers players
Category:Rip City Remix players
Category:San Antonio Spurs draft picks
Category:San Antonio Spurs players