Former Memphis basketball center Moussa Cisse signs offer sheet with Knicks, per reports

Former Memphis center Moussa Cisse could have a new professional team.

Cisse signed a two-year offer sheet with the defending champion New York Knicks, according to multiple reports on July 18. Because Cisse is a restricted free agent, the Mavericks — who Cisse played for last season — will have 48 hours to match the contract and keep Cisse.

The fit with the Knicks makes sense because New York lost center Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics in free agency. The Knicks also signed Andre Drummond, but Cisse would provide more depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

Cisse has plenty of ties to Memphis. He played his final two seasons of high school basketball at Lausanne, then chose the Tigers to start his collegiate career. He later played for Oklahoma State and Ole Miss before transferring back to Memphis for his final season of eligibility.

He played a significant role on that team, initially as a starter and then as a highly-productive sixth man behind Dain Dainja. The Tigers earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament at the end of that season before falling in the first round to Colorado State.

Cisse went undrafted after that, but he signed a two-way deal with the Mavericks ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. He averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 38 NBA appearances last season while also seeing time in the G League.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Former Memphis basketball center Moussa Cisse signs offer sheet with Knicks, per reports