Although he didn't quite live up to expectations at Michigan State, leading to his transfer to Cal, former four-star big man Mady Sissoko was always a fan favorite for his work off the court.
While he did show flashes of being a respected big for the Spartans (never forget the Gonzaga and Kentucky games during the 2022-23 season), he just wasn't consistent enough and Tom Izzo felt it was best he looked for a new home following the disappointing 2023-24 campaign.
Mady landed at Cal where he started for the Golden Bears, averaging 8.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He also shot a career-best 65.3% from the field and nearly 70 percent from the free throw line -- he vastly improved over the past two years at the charity stripe.
Sissoko's size makes him a viable candidate to stick with an NBA G-League affiliate after going undrafted, but he'll have to prove himself in Summer League action first.
Over the weekend, he signed a Summer League deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Cal’s Mady Sissoko will join the Oklahoma City Thunder for NBA Summer League, I’m told.
— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) June 28, 2025
The Malian big man boasts a 6’9”, 250 pound frame with a 7’3” wingspan and 9’2” standing reach.
8.3 PTS, 8.2 REB, 1.1 BLK, 68.8 TS% this season.
Brings energy and physicality in the paint. pic.twitter.com/rBJws97cnB
That's right, before a Jaden Akins NBA deal was announced, Mady found his way onto a roster for the Summer League and he'll have a chance to compete for a spot on the reigning NBA champ's G-League roster. It's a good opportunity for him to show that motor, length, and aggressiveness in the paint.
Sissoko is an easy dude to root for because of his charity work and the fact that he was always willing to learn and get better and his final year at Cal really let him flourish.
Jase Richardson and Sissoko are now the two former Michigan State players who have been picked up by NBA teams over the past week. Akins next?