Nianta Diarra selected the top Malian playing abroad in last week's games

NIANTA DIARRA

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Mali players, who play currently abroad.

Nianta Diarra

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Nianta Diarra (203-93, currently plays in France). He managed to help Boulazac Basket Dordogne to win against the closely-ranked JL Bourg (8-2) 86-82 in the French ProA last Saturday. Diarra recorded 5 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Boulazac Basket Dordogne (6-4) is placed seventh in the ProA. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Diarra's first year with the team. This season he averages: 4.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 2FGP: 81.8%(18-22), 3FGP: 14.3% and FT: 33.3%. Diarra has a dual citizenship: Mali and French. He is currently a member of the Mali senior national team.

Sagaba Konate

   #2. Second place goes to former U18 international forward Sagaba Konate (203-97, currently plays college basketball in the States). Konate led W.Virginia to a victory against the Saint Joseph's University 97-90 in the NCAA on Sunday night. He recorded 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes. The West Virginia University has conference record this season. Konate has relatively good stats this year: 12.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.3apg, 2.8bpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 46.2%, 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 76.5% in four games he played so far. He played for the Mali U18 national team in 2014.

Cheick Soumaoro

   #3. The Mali player who performed third best last week abroad was an international forward Cheick Soumaoro (204-90, currently plays in France). He contributed to Saint-Quentin's victory against the fifth-ranked Besancon (6-5) 91-78 in the French NM1 (third division) on Saturday night. Soumaoro scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (10-1) is placed second in Group A. Soumaoro's overall stats this season are: 4.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 2FGP: 47.5% and FT: 76.9%. He is also a member of the Mali senior national team.

Cheick Diallo

   #4. Power forward Cheick Diallo (206-96, college: Kansas, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a New Orleans Pelicans' victory against the San Antonio Spurs (8-9) 140-126 in the NBA last Monday. He scored only 2 points. The New Orleans Pelicans have 10-8 record this season. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Diallo's overall stats this year are: 4.5ppg and 4.2rpg. He used to play for the Mali U16 national team back in 2011.

Ludovic Chelle

   #5. An experienced former international guard Ludovic Chelle (188-83, currently plays in France) helped Saint Vallier win their game against the 13th-ranked Kaysersberg (2-9) 99-84 in the French NM1 (third division) on Saturday night. Chelle scored 11 points, made 3 passes and 4 steals in a mere 17 minutes. Saint Vallier Basket Drome (8-3) is placed third in Group A. This year Chelle's overall stats are: 9.0ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg and 1.6spg in 11 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and French. Despite Chelle played previously for the French U20 national team, he is currently in the Mali national team roster.

Sourata Cisse

   #6. Swingman Sourata Cisse (196-86, currently plays in France) could not help Brissac Anjou (2-9) in their last game. Despite his good performance the 13th-placed Brissac Anjou (2-9) was badly defeated 94-74 on the road by the second-ranked Lorient in the Group B. Cisse scored 14 points in 31 minutes. It was Brissac Anjou's seventh consecutive loss in a row. Cisse has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg and 1.3spg in 11 games. Despite Cisse played previously for the French U20 national team, he is also an international player who is currently on the senior Mali National Team roster.

Ibrahim Saounera

   #7. International point guard Ibrahim Saounera (179-87, currently plays in France) faced previously mentioned Sourata Cisse in the French NM1 last game. Saounera helped Lorient win their game against the 13th-ranked Brissac Anjou (2-9) crushing them 94-74. He scored 8 points and added 6 assists. This season Saounera has relatively solid stats: 10.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.9apg and 1.5spg. He is also Mali national team player.

Mamadou Sy

   #8. Swingman Mamadou Sy (196-85, college: Cloud County CC, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sourata Cisse and both played together in the last French NM1 game. Sy was not able to help Brissac Anjou in their game against Lorient (8-3). He scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes. Brissac Anjou (#13) was badly defeated 94-74 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Lorient in the Group B. This year Sy's total stats are: 4.1ppg, 4.7rpg and 1.5apg in 11 games. He plays currently for the Mali national team.

Namory Boundy

   #9. Former international forward Namory Boundy (202-89, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for GET Vosges (2-9) in their game against Aubenas (4-7) in the French NM1 (third division). Boundy scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. GET Vosges (#14) was defeated 81-72 on the opponent's court by the higher-ranked Aubenas (#10) in the Group A. Boundy has averaged so far 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.8apg and 1.4spg. He used to play for the Mali national team three years ago.

Samba Balayera

   #10. Swingman Samba Balayera (195-96, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Namory Boundy and both played together in the last French NM1 game. Balayera couldn't help GET Vosges (2-9) in their game against Aubenas (4-7). He scored 8 points in 23 minutes. It was his first game for GET Vosges this season. GET Vosges (#14) lost 72-81 on the opponent's court to the higher-ranked (#10) Aubenas in the Group A. Balayera is an international player who is currently on the senior Mali National Team roster.

   #11. International power forward Baba Samake (200-94, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Ibrahim Saounera and both played together in the last French NM1 game. Samake helped Lorient win their game against the 13th-ranked Brissac Anjou crushing them 94-74. He scored only 4 points. Samake has averaged so far 4.8ppg and 4.8rpg. He used to play for the Mali national team last year.

   #12. Former U18 international forward Mamoudou Diarra (206-97, currently studies in the States) helped Cincinnati win their game against the Western Michigan University crushing them 78-52 in the NCAA last Monday. Diarra scored only 2 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Diarra has averaged so far 2.0ppg and 4.0rpg. He used to play for the Mali U18 national team back in 2014.


The list of other players, who all have Mali passport but never been selected to any of Mali national teams:

   #1. Bandja Sy (204-F-90, agency: BeoBasket, college: N.Mexico St., currently plays in ABA League). He could not help Partizan (4-4) to beat Buducnost (6-2). Sy scored 7 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 30 minutes. Partizan lost 71-75 on the road to the second-ranked Buducnost. It's Sy's first season with the team. This year he averages: 5.7ppg and 2.9rpg in seven games he played so far. Sy has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.

   #2. Bourama Sidibe (208-F-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) led Syracuse to an easy victory against the Colgate University crushing them 77-56 in the NCAA in Wednesday night's game. Sidibe recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added and 3 steals. The Syracuse University has conference record this season. Sidibe's overall stats this year are: 5.2ppg and 5.4rpg.

   #3. Mambi Diawara (193-G-94, college: Lamar St.CC, currently plays in Canada) was the major contributor in an University of Calgary's victory against the Vikies (3-5) crushing them 87-63 in the U Sports last Saturday. He had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 11 rebounds. Diawara also added 4 assists in 32 minutes. The University of Calgary has a very solid 8-0 record this season. So far his team won all eight games in the Regular Season. Diawara has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 21.1ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.9apg and 1.9spg in eight games. Diawara is another player who holds two passports: Mali and Canadian.

   #4. Tahirou Diabate (206-F-98, currently studies in the States) led Portland to a 3-point victory against the Cal State - Northridge 80-77 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. Diabate scored 14 points, had 6 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 25 minutes. The University of Portland has conference record this season. This year Diabate's overall stats are: 8.3ppg and 4.3rpg in six games.

   #5. Amadou Sow (206-F-98, is currently at the American university) led UCSB to an easy victory against the Montana State University 88-69 in the NCAA in Saturday night's game. Sow scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. The Univ. of California-Santa Barbara has conference record this season. It's Sow's first year with the team. His total stats this year are: 9.8ppg and 7.0rpg.

   #6. Nouhoum Bocoum (207-F/C-92, college: Arkansas St., currently plays in Spain) was not able to help Aridane (3-6) in their last game. Despite Bocoum's good performance the 12th-placed Aridane lost 79-85 in Madrid to the lower-ranked (#14) Estudio in the Group B. He had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 12 rebounds. Bocoum also added 3 assists in 26 minutes. He has very impressive stats this year: 15.3ppg, 10.2rpg and 2.1apg in nine games. Bocoum has both American and Mali nationalities.

   #7. Cheickna Dembele (211-F-96, currently plays college basketball in the States) managed to help University of Nevada - Las Vegas to win against the Oakland University 74-61 in the NCAA on Friday night. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Dembele's total stats this season are: 2.3ppg and 4.0rpg.

   #8. Thimothee Troussel (203-F-95, college: MSU-West Plains, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to a 1-point Newman University's victory against the Fort Hays State University 76-75 in the NCAA2 in Tuesday night's game. Troussel recorded 7 points in 23 minutes. Troussel has averaged so far 6.3ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.7apg in three games. He also holds two passports: Mali and French.

   #9. Kassoum Yakwe (201-F-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) was not able to secure a victory for the Connecticut in their game against the University of Iowa in the NCAA. Yakwe cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points in 10 minutes. His team was badly defeated by 19 points 91-72. Yakwe has averaged so far 1.4ppg and 2.2rpg in five games.