MINNESOTA (FIBA Basketball World Cup/NBA) - Gorgui Dieng wasted no time in establishing himself as one of Africa's brightest stars in international basketball this summer when he represented his native Senegal.

The 2.11m center travelled to Spain for the FIBA Basketball World Cup and helped the Senegalese win a couple of games in Group B and advance to the Round of the 16.

Dieng was often the most dominant player on the court.

He has returned to the United States with a head full of steam and looking like a player who could garner more minutes in his second campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will be looking for other players to contribute on the interior after the departure of Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Wolves have decided to pick up the third-year option on Dieng, who saw action in 60 games last season, including 33 of the final 35.

The 24-year-old native of Kebemer averaged 4.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game last season. He started in 15 of Minnesota's last 18 contests, averaging 12.0 points and 11.3 rebounds while collecting nine double-doubles.

He signed off the 2013-14 season by being named as the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March.

Heading into the new season with the T-Wolves, Dieng is thinking about just one thing.

"Keep winning," he said at Minnesota's Media Day.

"If we keep winning, everyone is going to look good. That is what's most important to me."

At Spain 2014, Dieng led Senegal in scoring and rebounding, with 16.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while his nine blocks were second most on the team after Hamady Ndiaye.

Representing Senegal on international basketball's biggest stage is something he'll never forget.

"I feel very lucky to have played for my country," he said.

"I was glad I was one of the 12 guys.

"It was a good experience for me to keep moving my confidence up."

FIBA