NBA Draft Scouting Report: G League Ignite's Sidy Cissoko

Scouting Report: Sidy Cissoko

Contents

1. Prospect Profile 
2. Highlights
3. Draft Projection
4. 2023 Big Board

Sidy Cissoko 

Guard | G League Ignite 

Height: 6'8” | Weight: 200 lbs 

2023 Draft Age: 19.22

Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect Profile 

One of the younger prospects in this upcoming class, Cissoko is a French guard with intriguing tools. The offensive upside isn’t there quite yet consistently, but his defensive ability pops.

On the offensive end, the jumbo guard is best at attacking the rim. He doesn’t have the quickest first step, so he relies on using his strength. One thing Cissoko could improve on to combat the lack of elite quickness is ball handling. If he can tighten the handle and overall generate better looks off the bounce, he’d be much improved.

While Cissoko can play on the ball as the primary facilitator, he spent most of the season off-ball in the G League given he played next to Scoot Henderson. This worked well, especially since he moves so well without the ball in the flow of the offense.

His positional size is great, which allows him to play anything from point guard to point forward. Overall, Cissoko is an extremely smart player that makes those around him more effective. He plays with energy and effort, doing small fundamental things that don't show up on the box score.

His 3-point shot is still developing, which is something scouts will be keeping an eye on. It got better as the year went on, and while the numbers still aren't anywhere near an elite level, his shot is promising. The French guard is often too passive on the offensive end, needing to be more assertive and confident. The Ignite prospect is also a good passer, using his height to see over defenders and find his teammates. He has legitimate lead guard skills which makes him even more impactful. 

Cissoko’s combination of length and strength helps tremendously on defense. He’s got a very strong lower body and moves well laterally. This allows him to defend a wide variety of positions, including bigger wings. The French guard is disciplined as a defender and has gotten better about avoiding foul calls.

As a draft prospect, offense will be the swing factor. Late in the G League season, he did have several great performances in which he scored the ball at a high level. However, it didn't happen frequently enough to feel fully confident he could do that at the next level. 

Highlights

Draft Projection

Late First-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.

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2023 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2023 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Pro Big Board.

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