As an assistant basketball coach at the University of Maine, Mike LaPlante served as a consultant with the Senegalese Basketball Federation. N'Diaye was part of the federation's development program and had a desire to continue his studies and improve his basketball skills in the United States. Mamadou matriculated to a prep school in Pittsfield, Maine and excelled playing for Max Good.
College career
N'Diaye got off to a slow start at Auburn but improved every year. In his junior year, he broke Charles Barkley's career record for blocks. His long reach and athleticism made him the anchor of Auburn University's defense for much of his time there. His averages per game during his senior season there were 26.3 minutes, 8.9 points, 8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 2.2 turnovers, and 3.1 fouls. He made 2.9 of 5.5 field goals and 3.1 of 4.6 free throws that senior year. He finished his college career with averages of 21.7 minutes, 6.8 points on 50.7% shooting and 64.1% free throws, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 turnovers and 1.9 blocks per game. He left Auburn with the record for the most number of blocked shots.
NBA career
N'Diaye was the 26th first-round selection by the Denver Nuggets in the 2000 NBA Draft. He was one of the oldest players ever selected in the NBA draft at 25 years of age. In January 2001, N'Diaye was traded with Keon Clark and Tracy Murray to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kevin Willis, Aleksandar Radojević, Garth Joseph, a second round draft pick and a $564,603 trade exception. N'Diaye appeared in his first NBA game during the 2000-01 season with the Raptors. He played in Toronto through the 2002-03 season. His tenure in Toronto coincided with that of the tail-end of that of veteran All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon's. Mamadou admits, "practicing against Hakeem helped me tremendously." He signed with the Dallas Mavericks in January 2004 but was released later that month. He signed with the Atlanta Hawks in February 2004 but was assigned to the Asheville Altitude of the NBDL. In March 2004, he was released by the Hawks and returned to the Altitude. He also signed again with the Hawks later that month. N'Diaye signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in August 2004 but was waived in June 2005. In 11 games with the Clippers, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per contest. In October 2005, he joined the Golden State Warriors, wearing number 32, but was waived later that month. He signed with PAOK BC later that season. He played in 69 games in the NBA, averaging 3.8 points on.427 shooting and.736 free throws with 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 fouls and 0.9 blocks in 12.4 minutes.
