Former Cowboy Moussa Cisse Inks Two-Year Deal with Mavericks

It looks as if a former Cowboy defensive anchor is going to stick in the NBA.

Moussa Cisse took part in 38 games as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks this past season, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a contest.

He was a restricted free agent this offseason, and the newly crowned NBA champs showed interest in him. But in the end, he’ll remain in Dallas. The Mavericks matched the New York Knicks’ two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet to retain Cisse on Saturday night.

Cisse spent two of his five college seasons in Stillwater, joining the Pokes in 2021 before leaving in 2023. He earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in his first season as a Cowboy and was on the league’s All-Defense team in both of his seasons.

He played 61 games with OSU, which marked the best stint of his college career. Cisse averaged 7.0 points, 7.3 boards and 1.9 blocks a game as a Cowboy.

Cisse’s 62 stuffs during the 2022-23 season mark the ninth-most in OSU’s history. Meanwhile, his 116 blocks across his two seasons as a Cowboy rank 10th in an OSU career. His 1.9 blocks a game as a Cowboy rank third all-time.

Cisse transferred to Ole Miss after his stint in Stillwater and then back to Memphis (his first college) for his last season. He took a visit back to Stillwater ahead of Steve Lutz’s first season but elected to return to Memphis instead.

At a rangy, athletic 6-foot-11, Cisse’s potential has always been evident. He was a Top 10 prospect in the 2020 recruiting class when he signed with Memphis, picking the Tigers over offers from Kansas, Kentucky and others.

He scored in double figures on five occasions for the Mavericks this past season. His season-high came in April when he scored 17 points and ripped down 20 rebounds in a win against Chicago.

Moussa Cisse (17 PTS 20 REB) vs. Chicago Bulls | April 12, 2026 pic.twitter.com/MkqoK8ngbW

— LetMeTeachYouBall (@LMTYBall) July 9, 2026

It makes sense as to why the Knicks were interested in Cisse’s services. In Madison Square Garden in January, Cisse scored 15 points, brought in nine rebounds and stuffed four shots.

The Mavericks have officially launched into their new era led by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The franchise parted ways with coach Jason Kidd this offseason and hired Dusty May from Michigan (which led to the Wolverines hiring Mike Boynton).