Mouhamed Gueye Bio
Mouhamed Gueye is a Senegalese professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Dakar, Senegal, on November 9, 2002, he moved to the United States at age 16 to play high school basketball at Prolific Prep Academy in Napa, California. Gueye played college basketball for the Washington State Cougars, where he earned Pac-12 All-Freshman team honors in 2022 and First-team All-Pac-12 recognition as a sophomore in 2023. The Atlanta Hawks selected Gueye with the 39th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, acquiring his rights from the Charlotte Hornets via trade on draft night.
Early Life and Background
Gueye grew up in Dakar, Senegal, as the youngest of four siblings in a family with deep basketball roots. Several of his cousins have represented the Senegal national basketball team and have played professionally in European leagues. Gueye began his athletic journey playing soccer before his mother encouraged him to pursue basketball because of his height. He credits watching his older brother play basketball as a significant early influence on his decision to take up the sport.
Path to Basketball
Gueye’s personal coach, Mamadou Cisse, connected him with Philippe Doherty, the head coach of Prolific Prep. At age 16, he relocated from Dakar to the United States to enroll at Prolific Prep. Remarkably, Gueye had never played organized basketball before joining the program. He quickly developed into a four-star recruit and a top-50 prospect nationally. He completed his academic requirements early and reclassified to the 2021 recruiting class before committing to play for the Washington State Cougars over several other high-major programs.
Mouhamed Gueye Career
College Career (2021–2023)
Gueye began his college career at Washington State University in the 2021-22 season. He appeared in 31 games during his freshman year, averaging 7.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His performance earned him selection to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Following the season, Gueye declared for the 2022 NBA Draft but withdrew after receiving feedback from NBA teams. He also tested the transfer portal but elected to return to the Cougars for his sophomore season.
The 2022-23 season marked a breakthrough for Gueye. With key frontcourt players departed from the roster, he assumed a larger role and became the centrepiece of the Cougars’ offense. Head coach Kyle Smith reinforced throughout the season that the team played through Gueye. On February 2, 2023, he scored a career-high 31 points against the USC Trojans. Gueye averaged 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game during the campaign and earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors. On April 4, 2023, he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and participated in the NBA Draft Combine.
Atlanta Hawks (2023–Present)
The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics and then to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night. On July 3, 2023, he signed his rookie contract with the Hawks. However, his rookie season was derailed by a right lower-back stress fracture suffered on November 12, 2023. The injury ruled him out for approximately a month and limited him to just six total appearances during his rookie campaign. He posted averages of 4.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. Gueye spent portions of both his rookie and sophomore seasons with the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s NBA G League affiliate, to continue his development.
The 2024-25 season represented a significant leap in Gueye’s progression. He appeared in 33 games with 28 starts, averaging 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. On April 11, 2025, he recorded a career-high 18 rebounds alongside 10 points during a 124-110 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He set another career milestone on November 8, 2025, scoring 21 points with seven rebounds and seven assists in a 122-102 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters), Gueye possesses excellent size for the power forward position and can also play center. His length and instincts make him a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. Gueye has developed into a capable scorer in the paint and has shown improved playmaking ability, particularly in transition. His versatility allows Atlanta to deploy him in various lineups, and his ability to handle the ball and create for others has become an increasingly valuable part of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gueye’s standout performances, his 31-point game against USC during his college career remains a signature achievement that demonstrated his offensive ceiling. His 18-rebound performance against Philadelphia early in his second NBA season showcased his growth as a consistent interior presence. The milestone wins and memorable performances have helped establish his place in the NBA as he continues developing his craft.
Mouhamed Gueye Career Highlights
Throughout his basketball career, Gueye has accumulated notable achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels. His development from a late-bloomer in high school to an NBA player demonstrates his rapid progression and dedication to the sport.
College Accolades
Gueye earned Pac-12 All-Freshman team recognition following his debut season at Washington State in 2022. As a sophomore in 2023, he elevated his play significantly, earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors while averaging 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. His career-high 31-point performance against USC exemplified his capability as an elite collegiate scorer.
NBA Career Statistics
In his rookie season (2023-24), Gueye appeared in 6 games for the Hawks, averaging 4.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. In his second season (2024-25), he made significant strides with 33 appearances including 28 starts, posting averages of 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
Mouhamed Gueye Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Gueye was born in Dakar, Senegal, on November 9, 2002. He comes from a basketball family with several cousins who have represented the Senegal national team and played professionally in European leagues. His sporting background provided early exposure to elite-level basketball and helped shape his development from a young age.
Personal Life
Gueye grew up playing soccer before his mother encouraged him to pursue basketball due to his exceptional height. He credits his older brother as a significant early influence on his basketball career. He moved to the United States at age 16 to pursue his basketball dreams, leaving his family in Senegal to attend Prolific Prep Academy in California.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season marked a breakout year for Gueye with the Atlanta Hawks. Appearing in 33 games with 28 starts, he averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field. The Hawks increasingly trusted him with a larger role as the season progressed, and his improved consistency reflected his offseason development work.
Late in the season, Gueye delivered his best performances. On April 11, 2025, he recorded a career-high 18 rebounds to go with 10 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He followed that with a career-high 21-point performance on November 8, 2025, adding seven rebounds and seven assists in a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. These performances demonstrated his growth as an all-around contributor capable of impacting games in multiple facets.
Looking ahead, Gueye appears positioned for an expanded role with the Hawks. His combination of size, developing skill, and basketball intelligence gives the franchise a promising young frontcourt piece. Continued improvement in his consistency and defensive awareness will be key to his long-term impact in the NBA.