Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Orlando Bloom
Moussa Cisse is a Guinean professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Born on September 10, 2002, in Conakry, Guinea, he is known for his impressive shot-blocking ability, rebounding and defensive presence. Before entering the NBA in 2025, he played college basketball for Memphis, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss. Beyond his professional achievements, fans are interested in Moussa Cisse’s family, particularly his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Cisse comes from a family that played an important role in his journey from Guinea to the United States. His mother encouraged him to pursue educational opportunities abroad before her death in December 2021, while his older brothers introduced him to basketball and helped him develop his skills. He has spoken about brothers who lived in Canada and France, as well as an uncle who supported him during his early years in America. However, Cisse has maintained considerable privacy regarding his father’s identity, romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Moussa Cisse’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Moussa Cisse has maintained a relatively private romantic life despite becoming an NBA player and attracting international attention through his basketball career.
Although fans frequently search for information about Moussa Cisse’s girlfriend, there is currently no reliable public confirmation identifying a romantic partner.
The Guinean center has primarily used his public appearances and social media platforms to discuss basketball, training, professional achievements and his experiences growing up in Guinea.
Unlike some professional athletes who regularly share photographs with their girlfriends or wives, Cisse has not publicly introduced a romantic partner through a verified interview or widely reported announcement.
There is also no reliable information confirming that he is engaged or married.
During interviews with Memphis Athletics and the Dallas Mavericks, Cisse has discussed his family relationships and the importance of his brothers in developing his basketball career.
However, he has rarely addressed his dating history or current romantic relationships.
His preference for keeping his personal life private means that fans have limited verified information about this aspect of his life.
As of now, Moussa Cisse has no publicly confirmed girlfriend or wife. His current relationship status remains undisclosed.
Moussa Cisse’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Moussa Cisse has children. The Dallas Mavericks center has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official NBA and college basketball biographies do not identify any children.
Although he has frequently discussed the importance of family support, particularly during his childhood in Guinea and his transition to life in the United States, he has not publicly spoken about being a father.
Most available information about his personal life concerns his parents, brothers and extended family members who helped him pursue a basketball career.
As of now, Moussa Cisse has no publicly confirmed children. However, the absence of a public announcement does not establish details about aspects of his private life that he has chosen not to disclose.
Moussa Cisse’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Moussa Cisse was born and raised in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, where he spent his early childhood before moving to the United States as a teenager.
Although his parents’ names have not been reliably established through official basketball biographies, Cisse has publicly discussed his mother’s influence on his education and personal development.
His family encouraged him to pursue opportunities abroad, recognizing that combining education with basketball could provide a pathway toward a successful future.
Moussa Cisse’s Father: What Is Known About Him?
Moussa Cisse has not publicly disclosed extensive information about his father through widely available verified interviews or official NBA biographies.
Consequently, his father’s full name, age, occupation and personal background have not been reliably established.
While some unofficial celebrity biography websites discuss Cisse’s family, they generally provide little verifiable information about his father.
Most detailed interviews concerning the basketball player’s upbringing focus instead on the influence of his mother, brothers and uncle.
During a January 2021 interview with the University of Memphis Athletics, Cisse explained that his brothers played a significant role in introducing him to basketball.
He also discussed how his mother encouraged him to pursue educational opportunities in the United States.
However, the interview did not identify his father or explain his involvement in Cisse’s childhood.
Similarly, during an April 2026 conversation with former NBA player Devin Harris on the Dallas Mavericks’ Top Shelf podcast, Cisse spoke about family members who helped him move from Guinea to America.
He identified his brothers and uncle as important figures in his basketball development but did not provide detailed information about his father.
As of now, Moussa Cisse’s father’s identity and personal history remain largely private. It would therefore be inaccurate to assign him a name, occupation or family role without reliable supporting evidence.
Moussa Cisse’s Mother: Her Influence on His Life
Moussa Cisse’s mother was one of the most influential people in his upbringing and early basketball journey.
Although her name has not been reliably confirmed through official basketball records, Cisse has spoken publicly about her encouragement and the importance she placed on education.
He grew up with his mother in Conakry, Guinea, where football was the most popular sport among children in his neighborhood.
Like many young Guineans, Cisse initially preferred playing football rather than basketball.
However, his family recognized that his height and athletic abilities could provide opportunities in another sport.
When his brothers began introducing him to basketball, his mother supported the idea of combining athletic development with formal education.
During a January 29, 2021 interview published by Memphis Athletics, Cisse explained that his mother regularly encouraged him to attend school and pursue educational opportunities.
He recalled that she considered education an important reason for him to move to the United States.
His brothers also explained that American schools offered opportunities for students to participate in competitive basketball while continuing their studies.
With his family’s encouragement, Cisse moved to the United States in December 2015, initially settling in the New York area.
The transition required him to adapt to a different language, climate, educational system and sporting environment.
Although living far from his mother was challenging, the move eventually helped him establish himself among the country’s leading young basketball prospects.
What Happened to Moussa Cisse’s Mother?
Moussa Cisse experienced a significant personal loss when his mother died in December 2021.
Her death was reported by Memphis television station ABC24, which discussed the tragedy in a June 2024 feature about Cisse’s return to the University of Memphis basketball program.
According to the report, his mother had died more than two years before he returned to Memphis for his final college basketball season.
Her death occurred during a period when Cisse was developing his collegiate career after transferring from Memphis to Oklahoma State University.
Although the loss represented an important event in his personal life, reliable public reporting has not established the circumstances surrounding her death.
Cisse has generally maintained privacy regarding this subject, and it would be inappropriate to speculate about its cause.
His mother’s encouragement nevertheless remains an important part of his basketball story.
She helped him understand the value of education and supported his decision to move abroad in search of better opportunities.
Those early decisions eventually contributed to his successful college basketball career and his arrival in the NBA.
As of now, Cisse’s late mother remains one of the most important documented influences on his personal development and sporting ambitions.
Moussa Cisse’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers
Moussa Cisse has at least two publicly confirmed brothers, who have played important roles in his basketball development.
During interviews with Memphis Athletics and the Dallas Mavericks, Cisse explained that his brothers encouraged him to pursue basketball when he was growing up in Guinea.
In April 2026, he provided additional information about his family during an interview with former NBA player Devin Harris.
He revealed that one brother had lived in Canada while another had lived in France.
Although he did not identify them by name, his comments established that both contributed to his development as a young basketball player.
Moussa Cisse’s Brother Who Lived in Canada
One of Moussa Cisse’s brothers lived in Canada during the period when the future NBA player was growing up in Guinea.
According to a January 2021 interview with Memphis Athletics, this brother played a particularly important role in introducing Moussa to basketball.
Cisse explained that his brother returned to Guinea for a visit when Moussa was approximately 12 years old.
At the time, Moussa spent much of his free time playing football with friends and had little interest in basketball.
However, his older brother noticed his height and athletic potential and suggested that he should begin learning the sport.
Initially, Cisse did not enjoy basketball training because the game was unfamiliar to him.
His brother nevertheless continued encouraging him and started teaching him fundamental skills.
The training included basketball drills, watching instructional videos and practicing basic movements.
His brother also introduced him to track exercises designed to improve his speed and conditioning.
During the Memphis interview, Cisse recalled that his brother encouraged him to run regularly because improved athleticism would benefit his basketball development.
As his skills improved, Moussa gradually became more interested in basketball and started recognizing its potential as a future career.
His brother also explained that developing into a successful player could provide opportunities to study in the United States.
This prospect became one of the reasons Cisse decided to take basketball more seriously.
His brother’s encouragement eventually helped him make the transition from football to basketball, changing the direction of his sporting career.
Although the brother’s name and personal background remain private, his influence is among the most clearly documented family relationships in Cisse’s life.
Moussa Cisse’s Brother Who Lived in France
Moussa Cisse has another brother who lived in France during part of his childhood.
He confirmed this detail during an April 22, 2026 episode of the Dallas Mavericks’ Top Shelf podcast, hosted by former NBA player Devin Harris.
Discussing his childhood in Guinea, Cisse explained that his brothers living abroad would return home and encourage him to develop his basketball abilities.
His brother in France was among the family members who recognized his physical potential and believed he could become a successful player.
Both brothers helped him train during his early years, although Moussa initially found basketball less enjoyable than football.
As Cisse began improving, his family increasingly encouraged him to pursue opportunities in American basketball.
During the same podcast interview, he explained that his brothers later continued advising him while he was attending high school and college in the United States.
They helped him evaluate decisions concerning his basketball development and educational opportunities.
Cisse admitted that he relied heavily on family advice during his younger years because he had limited experience making major decisions independently.
One important example came in 2021, when he considered entering the NBA Draft after his freshman season at Memphis.
According to Cisse, his brother encouraged him to remain in college rather than immediately pursuing a professional career.
Looking back on the decision in April 2026, he explained that staying in college allowed him to mature and better understand the responsibilities of professional basketball.
Although his brother’s current residence and occupation have not been publicly confirmed, his role in supporting Moussa’s development is well documented.
Does Moussa Cisse Have Any Sisters?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Moussa Cisse has a sister.
His official basketball biographies and major interviews identify his brothers but do not provide a complete list of his siblings.
Consequently, it is not possible to establish whether he has any sisters or additional brothers beyond those he has publicly discussed.
As of now, at least two brothers are publicly documented, although their names and personal details remain undisclosed.
Moussa Cisse’s Uncle: An Important Figure in His American Journey
Another important member of Moussa Cisse’s extended family is his uncle, who helped him during his early years in the United States.
Although his uncle’s name has not been reliably established in official basketball reporting, Cisse has publicly discussed his influence.
When Moussa first arrived in America, he attended schools in the New York metropolitan area, including St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in New Jersey and Christ the King Regional High School in Queens.
During this period, he developed his basketball skills while adapting to life in a foreign country.
However, an important family decision eventually led him to leave New York.
During his April 2026 interview with Devin Harris, Cisse explained that his uncle had moved away from the New York area.
Because Moussa was still a teenager, his family decided that he should relocate rather than remain there without the same level of family support.
The decision brought him to Memphis, Tennessee, where he enrolled at Lausanne Collegiate School.
Although he had become comfortable in New York and enjoyed spending time with friends and teammates, Cisse accepted the decision because his family believed it was best for him.
He subsequently developed into one of the leading high school basketball prospects in the country.
His uncle also helped him during the period when he began preparing seriously for college basketball and a potential NBA career.
According to Cisse, he regularly practiced with his brothers and uncle as his professional ambitions became more realistic.
Their guidance helped him develop the discipline and confidence required to succeed in competitive basketball.
Moussa Cisse’s Family Background and Guinean Heritage
Moussa Cisse was born in Conakry, Guinea, and spent approximately the first 13 years of his life in the West African country.
Growing up, he developed a strong interest in football, the country’s most popular sport.
During a 2021 interview with Memphis Athletics, he explained that he regularly played football with friends in his neighborhood.
He usually played as a right winger, taking advantage of his speed and athleticism.
Even after becoming a professional basketball player, Cisse continued expressing affection for football.
During his April 2026 interview with Devin Harris, he identified Cristiano Ronaldo as one of his favorite athletes and discussed his admiration for the Portuguese football star’s work ethic.
His early experiences playing football also contributed to his basketball development.
Cisse explained that regularly sprinting as a winger helped improve his conditioning and ability to move quickly across the basketball court.
His transition to basketball began when his brothers encouraged him to explore the sport during his early teenage years.
Although the adjustment was initially difficult, he eventually became interested in the opportunities basketball could provide.
His family supported his move to the United States, believing that the American educational system would allow him to combine academic development with high-level basketball competition.
He arrived in the New York area in December 2015 and initially struggled with the cold winter climate.
Having grown up in Guinea’s tropical environment, Cisse was unaccustomed to the freezing temperatures he experienced in New York.
Nevertheless, he gradually adapted to American life and developed friendships through basketball.
He later moved to Memphis, where he continued his education and became one of the nation’s leading basketball recruits.
Despite spending many years in the United States, Cisse has continued identifying with his Guinean background and discussing his childhood experiences in Conakry.
How Moussa Cisse’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Moussa Cisse’s family played a fundamental role in helping him develop from a football-loving child in Guinea into an NBA basketball player.
His brothers recognized his athletic potential and encouraged him to begin learning basketball when he was approximately 12 years old.
His mother supported his educational ambitions and believed that studying in the United States could provide important opportunities for his future.
His uncle subsequently helped him navigate life in America during his teenage years.
After attending schools in New Jersey and New York, Cisse transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee.
During the 2019–20 high school basketball season, he averaged 18.4 points, 15.3 rebounds and 9.2 blocks per game.
One of his most remarkable performances came in November 2019, when he recorded 31 points, 22 rebounds and 21 blocks in a single game.
His performances helped Lausanne win the Tennessee Division II-A state championship in 2020.
He was also named Tennessee’s Division II-A Mr. Basketball and became one of the country’s most highly rated high school prospects.
In July 2020, Cisse committed to the University of Memphis, choosing to play under former NBA star Penny Hardaway.
During his freshman season in 2020–21, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
His defensive performances earned him American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors.
He also helped Memphis win the 2021 National Invitation Tournament championship.
Following his freshman season, Cisse considered entering the NBA Draft but eventually decided to continue developing through college basketball.
He transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he established himself as one of the Big 12 Conference’s leading defensive players.
During the 2021–22 season, he averaged 7.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
His achievements earned him Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
He continued his development at Oklahoma State during the following season before transferring to the University of Mississippi for the 2023–24 campaign.
After one season with the Ole Miss Rebels, Cisse returned to the University of Memphis in June 2024.
The move allowed him to finish his college basketball career with the program where he had originally established himself as a promising NCAA player.
Following the 2024–25 college season, he entered the 2025 NBA Draft but was not selected.
However, his professional ambitions remained alive.
On July 8, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks signed him as an undrafted free agent.
His contract was subsequently converted into a two-way agreement, allowing him to represent both the Mavericks and their NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
Cisse made his NBA debut on October 22, 2025, beginning the professional career he had worked toward since leaving Guinea.
During the 2025–26 NBA season, he appeared in 38 games for Dallas, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
He finished third among NBA rookies in blocks per game, establishing himself as a promising defensive center.
One of his most impressive performances came on April 12, 2026, when he recorded 17 points and 20 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls.
The performance tied a Dallas Mavericks rookie record for rebounds in a single game.
In July 2026, the New York Knicks offered Cisse a two-year contract worth approximately $4.7 million.
However, Dallas matched the offer sheet, retaining him for the 2026–27 season and beyond.
The agreement represented an important step in his professional career because he secured a standard NBA contract after beginning his rookie season on a two-way deal.
His journey from Guinea to the NBA reflects the guidance provided by his family, particularly the brothers who introduced him to basketball and the mother who encouraged him to pursue educational opportunities abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moussa Cisse’s Family
Who is Moussa Cisse’s girlfriend?
Moussa Cisse has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable reporting. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Moussa Cisse married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Moussa Cisse is married or has a wife.
Does Moussa Cisse have children?
Moussa Cisse has no publicly confirmed children. He has not announced having a son or daughter.
Who are Moussa Cisse’s parents?
Moussa Cisse’s parents have not been identified by name in reliable official basketball biographies. His mother supported his educational ambitions before her death in December 2021, while details about his father remain private.
Who is Moussa Cisse’s father?
Moussa Cisse’s father’s name and personal background have not been reliably established through official NBA biographies or verified interviews.
Who is Moussa Cisse’s mother?
His mother encouraged him to move to the United States to pursue educational opportunities alongside basketball. Her name has not been publicly confirmed through reliable official sources.
Is Moussa Cisse’s mother alive?
No. According to reporting by Memphis television station ABC24, Moussa Cisse’s mother died in December 2021.
How many siblings does Moussa Cisse have?
Moussa Cisse has at least two publicly confirmed brothers. During an April 2026 interview, he discussed one brother who lived in Canada and another who lived in France. His complete number of siblings has not been publicly established.
Who are Moussa Cisse’s brothers?
His brothers have not been reliably identified by name. However, Cisse has explained that they helped introduce him to basketball and supported his development from childhood.
Does Moussa Cisse have a sister?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Moussa Cisse has a sister. His publicly documented siblings include at least two brothers.
Who introduced Moussa Cisse to basketball?
One of his older brothers, who was living in Canada, encouraged him to begin playing basketball when he was approximately 12 years old. His other brother also contributed to his early training.
Where is Moussa Cisse from?
Moussa Cisse was born in Conakry, Guinea, on September 10, 2002. He grew up in the West African country before moving to the United States in December 2015.
How old is Moussa Cisse?
Moussa Cisse was born on September 10, 2002, making him 24 years old as of October 2026.
Is Moussa Cisse related to Djibril Cisse?
There is no publicly established family relationship between NBA player Moussa Cisse and former French international footballer Djibril Cisse. Sharing the same surname does not confirm that they are related.
Which NBA team does Moussa Cisse play for?
Moussa Cisse plays for the Dallas Mavericks. He joined the franchise as an undrafted free agent in July 2025 and secured a standard multi-year NBA contract in July 2026.
Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
