Ever since the 2023 NBA Draft, Mouhamed Gueye has worked tirelessly to improve for the Atlanta Hawks. During his rookie season, he barely touched the floor, but over the next two seasons, he became a consistent part of Atlanta’s rotation.
His hard work has set him up nicely as he prepares for his fourth year in the NBA. Now at 23 years old, he is primed for a big year in Atlanta.
Gueye still has plenty of untapped potential
The real value of Gueye’s game lies within his defense and athleticism. For a 6’11 big man, he is very light on his feet. He does an excellent job at switching offensive opponents when caught in a pick-and-roll, and he’s able to cover ground quickly to close out on shooters.
Gueye’s 7’3" wingspan is an excellent tool for disrupting jump shots, and proper interior defense at the rim to avoid sloppy fouls. He’s become a major part of the Hawks’ defensive identity, and his offense is starting to come around as well.
One of his biggest weaknesses in college is turning into a strength in the pros. While playing for the Washington Cougars, Gueye shot 27.7% from three over the course of 68 games in college.
He’s taken it up a notch in the NBA, coming off a 30.8% three-point field goal percentage last season. It’s encouraging, since he played 77 games and drained a three in many of his appearances.
His shot diet has only increased under Head Coach Quin Snyder, and he’s rewarded Gueye with more playing time. At this point, Gueye is showing improvements on a consistent basis.
The more time he gets, the more we’ll find out about his game. Depending on his performance this season, Gueye could become Atlanta’s X-factor for the 2026-27 season.
Why Mo will be Atlanta’s X factor this season
While most fans are anticipating another great year from Hawks centerpiece Jalen Johnson, his backup will play an essential role in Atlanta’s championship aspirations.
As of September 15, the Hawks’ second unit will likely consist of Kingston Flemings, Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Mouhamed Gueye and Jock Landale. This lineup will work well on both sides of the ball with Flemings orchestrating the offense while his veterans take care of the rest.
This is where Gueye will make his presence felt the most. Other than Dort, he’ll be the best defender off the bench, and his three-point shooting will provide valuable spacing.
Since Landale can also shoot threes, the Hawks will have two five-out lineups with reliable defenders. It’s a luxury only a few teams get to enjoy, but Mouhamed, in particular, forms a unique tandem with Landale.
Pairing the 6’11 210 pound Senegalese with the 6’11 255 pound Australian gives the Hawks a balanced frontcourt. Gueye is the agile power forward who can defend multiple positions, while Landale is slower but has a much stronger, rim-protecting build.
Even though Mouhamed has proven his worth over the last three years, he shouldn’t become complacent. If he improves even more this year, it’ll confirm his status as a steal from the 2023 NBA Draft to the entire league.
It’s perfect timing since he’s in the last year of his rookie contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
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