‘If I Can Go Against Him, I Can Go Against Anybody’: Moussa Cissé On Mentorship From Anthony Davis, Tyson Chandler, And Growth With Dallas Mavericks [Exclusive]

Grant AfsethNovember 11, 2025November 11, 2025no comment

Moussa Cissé, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, Washington Wizards

Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

For Moussa Cissé, the journey from Conakry, Guinea, to the NBA has been one of perseverance, learning, and steady growth. The 23-year-old center, now on a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Legends, has quickly developed into a defensive anchor with elite athleticism, energy, and a deep commitment to improvement.

Cissé moved to New York at 14, transitioning from soccer to basketball and eventually becoming a consensus five-star recruit. He starred at St. Benedict’s Prep, Christ the King, and Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, where he led his team to a state championship and set school records for blocked shots. His college career spanned Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss, earning American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors before returning to Memphis for the 2024–25 season.

Since joining Dallas on a two-way contract, Cissé has steadily earned his place in the Mavericks’ rotation. Through seven games this season, he has averaged 3.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 block, while posting 7.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over his last three outings. His early stretch included some of the toughest matchups any young big could face — Alperen Şengün, Steven Adams, and even Kevin Durant, as the Mavericks went through a challenging road trip.

“I’m focused on learning the details — how to place myself, how to help the team win by doing the things I do best,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Running hard, playing defense, and learning the system. Setting good screens so my teammates can get open shots. Just helping the team win games.”

Finding His Footing in Dallas

Cissé’s opportunity arrived quietly but decisively. When frontcourt injuries thinned the Mavericks’ rotation during their early November stretch — beginning with the matchup against the Houston Rockets — he was called upon to fill critical minutes. His response has been exactly what Dallas hoped for: energy, discipline, and an ability to influence the game without needing the ball.

Cissé’s speed at his position has allowed the Mavericks to play faster and create mismatches on both ends of the floor. His ability to keep possessions alive, contest shots, and finish above the rim has brought a burst of athleticism to the team’s frontcourt.

That blend of activity and control has stood out to head coach Jason Kidd, who noted that Cissé’s tempo and competitiveness have been difference-makers in a stretch where Dallas needed reliability in the paint.

“He’s done a great job with his tempo and speed at that position,” Kidd told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He creates cross-matches on both ends. Defensively, he’s competing — he’s gone against some bigger opponents like Steven Adams and held his own. He keeps the ball alive, contests shots, and offensively plays above the rim while giving us speed.”

That matchup against Adams, in particular, left an impression on Cissé himself. The veteran center has long been regarded as the strongest big man in the NBA and one of the league’s elite rebounders, capable of overpowering opponents and controlling the paint on both ends. For Cissé, going head-to-head with a player of that caliber early in his NBA experience was a turning point — one that boosted his confidence and validated the work he’s put into developing his game.

“It was just the physicality — playing against Steven Adams,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Most of my minutes were against him, and we can safely say he’s the most physical player in the league. Playing against him actually helped me build confidence. If I can go up against him, I can go against anybody. I didn’t say I stopped him, but I did what I could. I came every day and gave my best, and that’s what I took from that game.”

Learning from Anthony Davis, Tyson Chandler, and Others

During training camp in Canada, Cissé worked closely with All-Star big man Anthony Davis and Dallas’ other frontcourt centers, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford — gaining valuable lessons in positioning, balance, and defensive awareness.

“Even last game, Anthony was talking to me about how to place myself — like when I was trying to back Steven Adams down, he told me to front him and let the other guys get the rebound,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Off the court too, he talks to me about how to stay low, have balance on pick-and-rolls, be ready to rebound and defend. Just little details and tricks that go a long way. I’m blessed to have a player like him sharing that knowledge.”

Among the biggest influences on Cissé’s development has been Mavericks player development coach Tyson Chandler — a former Defensive Player of the Year and NBA champion who has become both a mentor and teacher. Chandler has taken a hands-on role with Dallas’ young centers, much like the close bond he built with Lively during his rookie season, helping guide both players through the finer points of anchoring an NBA defense and maximizing advantages as a play finisher in the paint.

“Me and T — Tyson — are really, really close,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He loves me, and I love him too. The way he explains things every day, even during walkthroughs, he breaks everything down for me. He’s played at the highest level, so he understands the game in ways we don’t yet. When I’m not doing something the right way, he explains it and makes it easier to understand. It’s a blessing to have him around — he brings energy and always talks to me. That’s fun and it’s helping me a lot.”

Cissé said being around Dallas’ veterans has shown him what it truly means to carry himself like a professional — both on and off the court. From how they approach film sessions to the way they manage recovery, he’s absorbed the daily habits that separate seasoned pros from players still learning the grind of an 82-game season.

He’s seen firsthand how players maintain focus through adversity, how they communicate in practice, and how they prepare behind the scenes long before tipoff. Whether it’s observing Anthony Davis’ structured pregame routine or watching veterans handle postgame recovery, those experiences have reshaped how Cissé approaches his own preparation.

“Just being around different players and seeing how they take the journey seriously — the amount of work they put in,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’s inspiring and motivates me to do the same. To come in, work hard, not take days off. It helped me learn how to be a professional — how to take care of my body, eat right, get good sleep, rest properly. It’s not just basketball, it’s everything that comes with it. That’s helped me become a better professional.”

Chemistry with Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly

Cissé has formed strong on-court chemistry with fellow two-way players Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly, who have become central pieces in both the Mavericks’ and Legends’ systems.

“Everybody sees what Ryan can do,” Cissé told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He involves everyone in the game — he’s not just looking to score. He makes sure everybody touches the ball, and that makes it fun. Myles is a high-level shooter, so having him on the floor really helps me because teams can’t help off the weak side. Having a playmaker like Ryan and a shooter like Miles makes it really fun to play.”

Their teammates have echoed that sentiment.

“Ryan’s my guy — we’re both Canadian, and I’ve been familiar with his game for a while,” Dalano Banton told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He’s a true point guard who gets everyone involved, makes the right reads, and can score from all three levels. Miles can shoot it from anywhere, defends hard, and brings energy. Moussa’s a big body who can defend, run the floor, and finish lobs. Their games speak for themselves, and I’m really looking forward to playing with them.”

Matthew Cross, who played Summer League with Cissé and went through training camp with the Mavericks, added that Cissé’s energy has been infectious.

“Moussa’s all about motor,” Cross told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He’s physical, rebounds, and plays with energy, which I really respect because outside of shooting, I pride myself on doing the dirty work — diving on the floor, rebounding, being physical. Watching both him and Miles helps me because those are key parts of my own game too.”

A System Built for Growth

Under head coach Max Hooper, the Texas Legends’ system mirrors Dallas’ philosophy of shared terminology and structure, emphasizing team defense and discipline.

“For Moussa Cissé, the focus has been avoiding fouls and using his athleticism to impact the game without bailing out the offense,” Hooper told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’re developing winning habits, not just individual skills. When they’re here, it’s not summer pickup ball. It’s about competing, learning how to win, and preparing to contribute at both levels.”

For Cissé, that environment — filled with mentors, opportunity, and challenge — represents exactly what he hoped for when he joined the Mavericks organization.

“I just want to keep learning,” he told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Every day is about getting better. I’m thankful for everyone around me helping me do that.”

As the Mavericks continue to juggle rotations and two-way development, Cissé’s steady progress — both in Frisco and Dallas — suggests he’s earning trust where it matters most: on the floor

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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