Dainja to Join Heat Summer League; Cisse Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Mavericks
Jun 27, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After anchoring one of the most dominant Memphis teams in over a decade, two of the Tigers' big men are now chasing the NBA dream they've been working toward their whole lives.
Forward Dain Dainja has officially earned a spot on the Miami Heat's NBA Summer League roster, while fellow big man Moussa Cisse has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The announcements come on the heels of an impressive season that saw Memphis finish 29-6, capture both the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles, earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finish the year ranked in the AP Top 25 for the second time in three seasons (No. 25).
Dainja, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound force in the paint, accepted the Heat's invitation just hours after the NCAA denied his request for an additional season of eligibility. The First Team All-AAC selection averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, anchoring Penny Hardaway's squad on both ends of the floor.
Shooting a team‑best 61.5% (209‑of‑340) from the field, Dainja finished with double‑figure scoring in 26 of 35 contests, recorded nine double‑doubles and eclipsed 20 points nine times.
It is being reported that the Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native will join the Heat in San Francisco on July 1, where the team will compete in the California Classic Summer League at the Chase Center (July 5-8). From there, he's slated to play in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, running from July 10-20.
Shortly after Dainja's Summer League roster spot was announced, reports confirmed that Cisse, a 6-foot-11 defensive stalwart, agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The contract offers a potential path to a two-way deal and a spot on the Mavs' roster with strong Summer League or training camp performance.
Cisse returned to Memphis this past season and averaged 5.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, leading the Tigers in shot-blocking and ranking second in rebounding behind Dainja.
A native of Conakry, Guinea, Cisse began his collegiate career at Memphis in 2020-21, earning AAC Freshman of the Year honors. He went on to be named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Oklahoma State before a one-year stint at Ole Miss. In one of his best performances this past season, Cisse logged 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against Ole Miss, earning AAC Player of the Week recognition.
Cisse concluded his career with 254 career blocks, cementing his status as one of college basketball's premier rim protectors. He ranked third nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and 21st in block percentage, according to KenPom.
As Dainja steps onto the Summer League stage and Cisse begins his NBA journey in Dallas, the tradition of elite frontcourt talent coming through Memphis keeps growing.
Under Penny Hardaway, the Tigers have become a launchpad to the pros — with 10 players under his tutelage reaching the NBA in just seven seasons. That list of big men includes James Wiseman (No. 2 overall pick), Jalen Duren (No. 13), Precious Achiuwa (No. 20), and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (undrafted).
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Forward Dain Dainja has officially earned a spot on the Miami Heat's NBA Summer League roster, while fellow big man Moussa Cisse has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The announcements come on the heels of an impressive season that saw Memphis finish 29-6, capture both the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles, earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finish the year ranked in the AP Top 25 for the second time in three seasons (No. 25).
Dainja, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound force in the paint, accepted the Heat's invitation just hours after the NCAA denied his request for an additional season of eligibility. The First Team All-AAC selection averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, anchoring Penny Hardaway's squad on both ends of the floor.
Shooting a team‑best 61.5% (209‑of‑340) from the field, Dainja finished with double‑figure scoring in 26 of 35 contests, recorded nine double‑doubles and eclipsed 20 points nine times.
It is being reported that the Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native will join the Heat in San Francisco on July 1, where the team will compete in the California Classic Summer League at the Chase Center (July 5-8). From there, he's slated to play in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, running from July 10-20.
Shortly after Dainja's Summer League roster spot was announced, reports confirmed that Cisse, a 6-foot-11 defensive stalwart, agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The contract offers a potential path to a two-way deal and a spot on the Mavs' roster with strong Summer League or training camp performance.
Cisse returned to Memphis this past season and averaged 5.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, leading the Tigers in shot-blocking and ranking second in rebounding behind Dainja.
A native of Conakry, Guinea, Cisse began his collegiate career at Memphis in 2020-21, earning AAC Freshman of the Year honors. He went on to be named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Oklahoma State before a one-year stint at Ole Miss. In one of his best performances this past season, Cisse logged 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against Ole Miss, earning AAC Player of the Week recognition.
Cisse concluded his career with 254 career blocks, cementing his status as one of college basketball's premier rim protectors. He ranked third nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and 21st in block percentage, according to KenPom.
As Dainja steps onto the Summer League stage and Cisse begins his NBA journey in Dallas, the tradition of elite frontcourt talent coming through Memphis keeps growing.
Under Penny Hardaway, the Tigers have become a launchpad to the pros — with 10 players under his tutelage reaching the NBA in just seven seasons. That list of big men includes James Wiseman (No. 2 overall pick), Jalen Duren (No. 13), Precious Achiuwa (No. 20), and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (undrafted).
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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