Mouhamadou Gueye

Mouhamadou “Mo” Gueye, born July 6, 1998, ventured on a lifelong journey that led him to a career as an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Gueye’s story, however, began on Staten Island, New York, where he was born to Senegalese parents who were passionate basketball players, instilling a deep love for the sport in him at a young age.

His father, Ababacar, migrated from Senegal to Staten Island in 1987 with a mere $100. He worked tirelessly in construction, saving enough to bring his wife, Souwadou, to join him. Father and son would often spend many hours bonding over shared love for basketball, watching tape games of the New York Knicks and marveling at the skills of Ababacar’s favorite player, Michael Jordan. Gueye’s training also took him to local recreation centers where his father funded his work with a trainer, and into games with friends at local parks.

Gueye’s basketball career, however, had an unassuming start. At Curtis High School, he started as a 5 ft 9-inch guard. Over four years, he grew a staggering 10 inches. Despite his potential, Gueye did not play on the school’s basketball team during his junior or senior seasons, as truancy issues led to disciplinary measures.

A significant turning point in Gueye’s journey was when he was invited to play for a local Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, iWork Basketball, during his senior year. Gueye’s talent shone when a teammate uploaded a highlight reel of Gueye’s play on YouTube, catching the eye of an assistant coach at Monroe College. This led to an on-campus workout invitation and him earning a spot on the college’s roster due to his impressive ball-handling and passing skills.

Despite sitting out the 2017-18 season at Monroe College due to academic issues, Gueye made significant strides in the subsequent seasons. He was soon noticed by several institutions, prompting him to make the leap to Stony Brook Seawolves in the 2019-2020 season at NCAA Division I level. It was here he honed his skills, gaining insight into the subtleties of setting screens, taking shots, and making strategic passes.

His tenure at Stony Brook earned him a place in the SportsCenter Top 10, twice, for his remarkable plays against the defending champions Virginia, and a game-changing dunk on Anthony Lamb of Vermont. After two seasons at Stony Brook, he had the second-highest block tally in the program’s Division I history, and was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year.

With an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gueye transferred to the Pittsburgh Panthers of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Here he averaged 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in the 2021-2022 season.

The Dallas Mavericks of the NBA signed Gueye on September 21, 2022, though he was waived shortly after on October 12, 2022. This setback could not deter Gueye, who soon found himself on the training camp roster of the Mavericks’ G League affiliate team, the Texas Legends. After a successful stint with the Legends, Gueye signed up with the Toronto Raptors for the 2023 NBA Summer League.

Gueye, however, ended up with Raptors 905 after the Legends traded his G League rights. He was quickly scooped up by the Raptors, but then dropped, and again picked up by Raptors 905. However, his journey took a worrying turn when he sustained a neck injury in December during a game against Maine Celtics.

Undeterred, Gueye bounced back, signing a 10-day contract with Toronto in February 2024. Upon its completion, Gueye made his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs. Seeing his potential, the Raptors signed him to a two-way contract in March. The Staten Island native’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the undying passion for basketball.