NBA – WNBA: Malians attack the American championships

Posted on 15.04.2023 at 2:18 p.m. by Mohamed Kenouvi

With their heads full of dreams of evolving one day in the most prestigious championship in world basketball (NBA or WNBA), like their illustrious predecessors, several young Malians have joined the American university championships in recent years.

The young Malian basketball player Adama Sanogo, just crowned the title of university champion of the United States and a trophy for best player, is now looking higher, towards the NBA in particular. Several American media are making the 20-year-old Malian one of the next attractions of the Draft. The principal announced Thursday, April 13, his intention to appear in the Draft.

He could be selected in the second round of the Draft by Orlando, Houston, Charlotte or the Detroit Pistons. The lowest ranked teams in the regular season, which has just ended, meaning the Malian could have a big role in reviving any of the cited franchises.

Several other talented Malian players play in American university teams, such as Oumar Ballo for example. Drafted in 29^th position on the night of April 10 to 11, 2023 by Phoenix Mercury at 3^th round, the Franco-Malian Kadi Sissoko has the opportunity to enter the big leagues next season if a franchise decides to offer her talent. The 24-year-old winger is still selectable with the Aigles Dames, even if everything seems to point to a career with the Bleues.

Sika Koné, who has experienced almost the same journey, is already realizing his dream. Drafted since April 2022 by the New York Liberty franchise, the pivot signed her rookie contract, as announced, on February 10. After Sanogo, university champion, Sika Koné could become the next Malian to put her name on the prize list of a competition. On paper, in fact, her team is considered the best in WNBA history, with several talented players. But this will have to be confirmed on the field and the Malian, after having chained good performances everywhere, will also have to show herself to be efficient in the WNBA to find a place there.