Mouhamed Gueye

Gueye is a Senegalese center who entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2023 after a rapid rise from raw prospect to All-Pac-12 first-team honoree in just two seasons of organized basketball. Drafted by Charlotte and traded to Atlanta, he has shown flashes of defensive potential and rebounding while adjusting to NBA physicality.

Born Mouhamed Gueye on November 9, 2002, in Dakar, Senegal, he is the youngest of four siblings in a sporting family. He grew up playing soccer but was encouraged by his mother to play basketball because of his height. His personal coach, Mamadou Cisse, connected him with Philippe Doherty, head coach of Prolific Prep in Napa, California. At age 16, he moved to the United States to enroll at Prolific Prep, having never played organized basketball before.

Gueye emerged as a four-star recruit and top-50 national prospect at Prolific Prep. He reclassified to the 2021 class and committed to Washington State over multiple high-major offers. As a freshman, he averaged 7.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. He declared for the 2022 NBA draft but withdrew after receiving feedback and returned for his sophomore season.

As a sophomore in 2022-23, Gueye became the centerpiece of the Washington State offense. On February 2, 2023, he scored a career-high 31 points against USC. He averaged 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists and was named to the All-Pac-12 first team. He declared for the 2023 draft and was invited to the NBA draft combine.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye 39th overall in the 2023 NBA draft. His rights were traded to the Boston Celtics and then to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night. He signed his rookie contract on July 3, 2023, but suffered a right lower-back stress fracture in November and missed most of his rookie season. He returned with stints in the G League and made six appearances for Atlanta. On April 11, 2025, he recorded a career-high 18 rebounds and 10 points in a win over Philadelphia. In 2024-25, he averaged 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 33 appearances.

Gueye is a mobile big with developing post skills, rebounding instincts, and defensive versatility. His rapid improvement reflects his work ethic and raw physical tools. He projects as a rotation center who provides interior scoring, shot-blocking, and rebounding.