Starting 5: Former Louisville basketball star Gorgui Dieng ends NBA playing career, more
Louisville men's basketball alum Gorgui Dieng recently called it an NBA career after 10 years.
Dieng played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs, averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Dieng had a goal of playing 10 NBA seasons, but he didn't rule out playing 11. When he wasn't offered a contract last summer, the former Cardinal approached Spurs general manager Brian Wright about joining the team as an unpaid intern. Dieng recently was hired as a basketball operations representative in the team's front office.
Around the city: Angel McCoughtry set to play in Athletes Unlimited league
Louisville women's basketball legend Angel McCoughtry signed a deal to play in the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball league. McCoughtry is one of the new players in the league, which is set to begin its season Feb. 29.
Athletes Unlimited offers former WNBA players a chance to play in the United States instead of venturing overseas. The league is revolutionary in its business model, which includes sharing league profits with players and allowing players to lead in front office decisions.
2x Olympic gold medalist, 5x WNBA All-Star and now Angel McCoughtry will continue her basketball journey with AU Pro Hoops.
Ahead of announcing that she signed to the league, McCoughtry said her focus is clear ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/L6XdcUHi2e— Savanna Collins (@savannaecollins) December 13, 2023
High school recruiting: Dawn Staley visits Louisville to see South Carolina target ZaKiyah Johnson
Two-time national champion coach Dawn Staley recently visited Louisville to see Sacred Heart junior ZaKiyah Johnson — a South Carolina recruiting target — play against Waggener.
Johnson is averaging a team-high 15.4 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the field. She also averages a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game.
Hearing South Carolina coach Dawn Staley will be at #1 Sacred Heart tonight to see Valkyries junior ZaKiyah Johnson against Waggener. Tipoff at 6 p.m.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) December 12, 2023
More: Justice Decker lifts Manual basketball to first win over Ballard since 1995
Performance of the week: Bellarmine sophomore guard Miyah Brown posts double-double vs. Asbury
Sophomore guard Miyah Brown nearly recorded a triple-double (16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists) to help lead Bellarmine women's basketball to a 90-65 win over Division III Asbury University. Brown is averaging 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Knights (4-5).
Miyah with the 🚀 pass to Paetynn for 2. pic.twitter.com/fVUsK8Pqwi
— Bellarmine Women's Basketball (@BUKnightsWBB) December 9, 2023
Mark your calendars
Bellarmine women's basketball is set to host Detroit Mercy at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The Knights are scheduled to play at Akron at 4 p.m. Thursday.
The Bellarmine men's basketball team is set to play at Utah at 9 p.m. Wednesday and at BYU at 9 p.m. Friday.
Play of the week: Senior Dayton Williams throws down an emphatic slam against Warren Central
Senior guard Dayton Williams led Butler to a 59-47 win over defending state champion Warren Central with a 25-point, eight-rebound outing. Williams punctuated his performance with a tomahawk slam.
Dayton Williams with the Emphatic Tomahawk vs. Warren Central (finished with 25pts vs. Defending State Champs) @daytonwilliams_
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DeadStock Way🌡️@PrepHoopsKY @GriffinEliteAAU @KYINhoops @ButlerBearBBall @report_kentucky @502SportsReview @NateInSports @teamhoopsdotcom… pic.twitter.com/gndRL9opFa— DeadStock Visuals (@DeadStock_V) December 10, 2023
Williams had two double-doubles in a 72-69 win over Male (27 points and 15 rebounds) and a 62-57 loss to Bullitt East (16 points and 13 rebounds).
More: 10 Kentucky high school basketball Christmas tournaments you'll want to see this season
Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Dawn Staley visits Louisville to see Sacred Heart star ZaKiyah Johnson