Moussa Cissé Bio
Moussa Cissé (born 10 September 2002) is a Guinean professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. A 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) center, he is widely recognized for his shot-blocking, rebounding and interior defense. Cissé played college basketball for the Memphis Tigers, Oklahoma State Cowboys and Ole Miss Rebels before signing with Dallas in 2025.
Before turning professional, Cissé was a consensus five-star high school recruit and was regarded as one of the best centers in the 2020 class. His college path included stops at three Division I programs, and he earned multiple All-Defensive and conference awards along the way. He was undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft and signed with the Mavericks shortly after, beginning his professional career as a two-way player.
Early Life and Background
Moussa Cissé was born on 10 September 2002 in Conakry, the capital city of Guinea. He lived in his home country until the age of 14, when he relocated to New York to pursue greater basketball opportunities. Cissé grew up playing soccer in Guinea before making the transition to basketball, a shift that would shape the rest of his athletic career.
Once in the United States, Cissé enrolled at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, where he began his high school basketball journey. He played alongside Precious Achiuwa during his time at St. Benedict’s, an experience that helped him adjust to a higher level of competition. He then spent two seasons at Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, where he was teammates with Kofi Cockburn. As a sophomore at Christ the King, Cissé led his team to the Class AA state title game, signaling his emergence as a high-level prospect.
For his junior year, Cissé transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, a move that proved transformative. On 25 November 2019, he produced one of the most remarkable single-game performances in Shelby County history, recording 31 points, 22 rebounds and 21 blocks, surpassing the long-standing single-game blocks record set by Mitch Omar in 1976–77. He led Lausanne to the Division II-A state championship and was named Most Valuable Player after posting 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks against First Assembly Christian School. Cissé averaged 18.4 points, 15.3 rebounds and 9.2 blocks per game as a junior, earning Tennessee Mr. Basketball honors and breaking Michael Wilson’s single-season city blocks record set in 1989–90.
Path to Basketball
Cissé was a consensus five-star recruit, according to major recruiting services, and was ranked among the top 10 players in the 2021 recruiting class. On 27 May 2020, he announced that he would graduate a year early and reclassify to the 2020 class, where he retained his five-star status. On 15 July 2020, he committed to play college basketball for the Memphis Tigers, drawn by head coach Penny Hardaway and the presence of former St. Benedict’s teammate Precious Achiuwa, who had played for Memphis the previous season.
The decision to reclassify and join Memphis set the stage for Cissé’s rapid rise through the college ranks. He signed with a program known for developing big men, and the familiarity of coaching staff and a former teammate helped ease his transition. His performance as a high school junior had already drawn national attention, and his commitment cemented his place as one of the most sought-after centers in his class.
Moussa Cissé Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Cissé began his college career at the University of Memphis during the 2020–21 season. He posted his first double-double on 2 December 2020, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in an 83–54 victory over Arkansas State. As a freshman, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, establishing himself as a defensive anchor for the Tigers.
His freshman year was capped by several prestigious awards, including American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and a spot on the AAC All-Freshman Team. Memphis won the 2021 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), giving Cissé an early taste of postseason success. On 6 April 2021, Cissé declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, later withdrawing from the draft and entering the transfer portal.
Memphis Tigers Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Cissé’s freshman season at Memphis set the foundation for his reputation as a defensive standout. While his offensive numbers were modest, his rebounding and shot-blocking impacted games in a way that coaches noticed across the conference. His AAC Freshman of the Year award reflected the immediate impression he made in his first college season.
He played alongside experienced teammates and a familiar coaching staff, which allowed him to focus on his development. The 2021 NIT championship added a team accomplishment to his résumé and gave him a winning experience to build on. By the end of his freshman year, Cissé had positioned himself as one of the top defensive big men in the country.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Era (2021–2023)
On 15 July 2021, Cissé transferred to Oklahoma State, choosing the Cowboys over Florida State, Georgia and Kentucky. He joined a program looking to strengthen its interior defense and quickly became a central figure in the rotation. In his sophomore year, Cissé was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year alongside Baylor’s Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and West Virginia’s Gabe Osabuohien.
During the 2021–22 season, Cissé averaged 7.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, demonstrating growth in nearly every category from his freshman year. As a junior in 2022–23, he earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, marking his second consecutive year of conference-level defensive recognition. His two-year run in Stillwater established him as one of the premier shot-blockers in the Big 12 Conference.
Ole Miss Rebels Year (2023–2024)
After the 2022–23 season, Cissé entered the transfer portal for a second time and committed to play for the Ole Miss Rebels, choosing the program over offers from UCLA and Cincinnati. His move to the Southeastern Conference represented a new challenge and an opportunity to showcase his skills in a different competitive environment.
At Ole Miss, Cissé continued to provide interior defense and rebounding while adapting to a new system and roster. Although specific statistical highlights from his single season in Oxford are limited, his presence helped anchor the Rebels’ frontcourt. Following the 2023–24 campaign, he once again entered the transfer portal, this time opting to return to a familiar setting.
Return to Memphis (2024–2025)
For the 2024–25 season, Cissé transferred back to the Memphis Tigers, completing a full circle in his college journey. Returning to the program where he had begun his career allowed him to reconnect with the coaching staff and the city that had become a second home. His final college season served as a bridge to his professional transition.
Cissé’s senior year at Memphis helped solidify his draft stock and prepared him for the physical demands of NBA competition. He entered the 2025 NBA draft process having already earned multiple conference awards and the reputation of a high-level defensive center.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2025–Present)
Cissé went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, but his college résumé attracted immediate professional interest. On 8 July 2025, he was signed by the Dallas Mavericks, beginning his NBA career. On 18 October 2025, the Mavericks converted his contract into a two-way deal, allowing him to split time between Dallas and their NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
The two-way contract represents an important opportunity for Cissé to continue his development while contributing to a contending NBA roster. Playing for the Mavericks places him in a high-level organization with veteran leadership and a strong developmental infrastructure. His early professional chapter is focused on refining his offensive game while maintaining the defensive presence that defined his college career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cissé’s career came on 25 November 2019, when he recorded 31 points, 22 rebounds and 21 blocks in a single high school game, breaking a Shelby County blocks record that had stood for more than four decades. He also led Lausanne Collegiate School to a Division II-A state championship and was named MVP of the title game. At the college level, he helped Memphis win the 2021 NIT championship and earned Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. His signing with the Dallas Mavericks in 2025 marked the official start of his professional basketball career.
Moussa Cissé Career Wins
Across his high school, college and early professional career, Moussa Cissé has compiled a record highlighted by team championships and individual defensive awards. His 2021 NIT title with Memphis stands as his most prominent team accomplishment, while multiple All-Defensive selections underscore his consistent defensive impact.
High School and College Highlights
At the high school level, Cissé led Lausanne Collegiate School to the Division II-A state championship and was named MVP of the title game as a junior. He was also named Tennessee Mr. Basketball in 2020, capping one of the most decorated prep careers in Shelby County history. In college, Cissé won the 2021 NIT championship with Memphis and was a two-time Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection in 2022 and 2023, in addition to earning Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
Cissé earned AAC Freshman of the Year and AAC All-Freshman Team honors in 2021 during his first season at Memphis. He was also recognized as a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked centers in the 2020 high school class. These recognitions collectively highlight his consistent development across multiple programs and competitive levels.
Moussa Cissé Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Specific details about Moussa Cissé’s parents and immediate family are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He was raised in Conakry, Guinea, before moving to the United States at age 14 to pursue basketball opportunities. His decision to leave Guinea as a teenager reflects a strong family commitment to his athletic development, though individual family members are not named in verified records.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Cissé’s personal life, including relationships and children, is limited. He is known to maintain an active presence on social media under the handle moussacisse224 on X and moussacisse33 on Instagram. As of 2025, he is focused on his professional basketball career with the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Legends.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Moussa Cissé’s transition from college basketball to the professional ranks. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks on 8 July 2025, beginning his NBA career. The Mavericks converted his contract into a two-way deal on 18 October 2025, allowing him to develop with the Texas Legends while remaining affiliated with Dallas.
As a two-way player, Cissé splits his time between the Mavericks’ NBA roster and the Texas Legends’ NBA G League schedule, providing a pathway to consistent playing time. His primary focus during the 2025 campaign is on refining his offensive skill set, adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game and continuing to provide the rim protection that defined his college career. Working within a structured Mavericks development system offers him the resources to grow as a young big man.
Looking ahead, Cissé’s outlook in Dallas depends on his ability to translate college production into NBA results. His defensive track record, length and mobility make him an intriguing developmental prospect for the Mavericks. Continued strong performances with the Texas Legends could position him for an expanded role with Dallas in future seasons.
