Cheick Diallo selected the top Malian playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from Malians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Cheick Diallo

   #1. This week's number one is former U16 international power forward Cheick Diallo (206-96, college: Kansas, currently plays in NBA). Diallo led Phoenix Suns to an easy victory against the Houston Rockets (34-20) crushing them 127-91 in the NBA last Friday. He scored 14 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and made 3 blocks. The Phoenix Suns have 22-33 record this season. This year Diallo averages: 5.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 66.9%(79-118) and FT: 85.7%. He played for the Mali U16 national team nine years ago.

Fousseyni Drame

   #2. Second place goes to an experienced U19 international forward Fousseyni Drame (201-0, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA. He could not help the St.Peter's (3-3) in their last game. Despite Drame's very good performance his team lost 61-72 at home to the Marist College. He scored 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 25 minutes. It's Drame's first season with the team. This year Drame's overall stats are: 5.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 2FGP: 43.6%, 3FGP: 26.3% and FT: 61.7% in 22 games he played so far. He is in the roster of the Mali U19 national team.

Nianta Diarra

   #3. The Mali player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Nianta Diarra (201-93, currently plays in France). He was not able to help Cholet Basket in their game against JL Bourg (15-8) in the French Jeep ELITE ProA. Diarra cannot count Tuesday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points in 6 minutes on the court. The league leader Cholet Basket was edged 74-72 on the road by the lower-ranked (#5) JL Bourg. This year Diarra's total stats are: 5.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2FGP: 70.7%(41-58), 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 63.6% in 17 games. He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French. Diarra is also a member of the Mali senior national team.

Mahamadou Diawara

   #4. Power forward Mahamadou Diawara (208-99, currently studies in the States) led Stetson to a 3-point victory against the Florida Gulf Coast University (3-3) 65-62 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. He recorded 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Stetson University has a solid 4-2 conference record this season. Diawara has relatively good stats this year: 13.0ppg and 6.7rpg. He used to play for the Mali U18 national team back in 2016.

Ibrahim Doumbia

   #5. Former U18 international forward Ibrahim Doumbia (198-98, is currently at the American university) contributed to UCF's victory against the The University of Tulsa (5-1) 83-75 in the NCAA last Sunday. Doumbia recorded 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 15 minutes. The University of Central Florida has rather weak 2-4 conference record this season. Doumbia has averaged so far 1.4ppg and 1.7rpg in 18 games. He used to play for the Mali U18 national team four years ago.

Ibrahima Sidibe

   #6. Point guard Ibrahima Sidibe (180-95, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for ALM Evreux (7-13) in their game against Provence Basket (9-11) in the French ProB (second division). Sidibe recorded 6 points. ALM Evreux was edged 73-70 in Fos-sur-Mer by the higher-ranked Provence Basket (#11). It was ALM Evreux's third consecutive loss in a row. Sidibe has averaged so far 3.6ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.3apg. Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Sidibe is also an international player who is currently on the senior Mali National Team roster.

Moustapha Diarra

   #7. Former international center Moustapha Diarra (205-87, college: USF, currently plays in France) led C'Chartres to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Rueil (16-8) 112-93 in the French NM1 (third division) in Friday night's game. He scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. Chartres Basket Masculins (21-3) is placed first in Group B. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This year Diarra has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2bpg in 23 games. He used to play for the Mali national team two years ago.

Ibrahim Djambo

   #8. Forward Ibrahim Djambo (208-92, college: Hofstra, currently plays in France) contributed to a Etoile Angers' victory against the eighth-ranked JSA Bordeaux (11-13) 88-84 in the French NM1 (third division) last Saturday. Djambo scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Etoile Angers Basket (17-6) is placed first in Group A. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Djambo has reliable stats this season: 12.3ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.1apg. He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and American. Djambo plays currently for the Mali national team.

Ludovic Chelle

   #9. Former international guard Ludovic Chelle (188-83, currently plays in France) managed to help Saint Vallier Basket Drome to win against the tenth-ranked GET Vosges (10-13) 85-77 in the French NM1 (third division) in Saturday night's game. Chelle scored 5 points. Saint Vallier Basket Drome (19-5) is placed second in Group B. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important. Chelle has averaged so far 9.2ppg, 1.2rpg and 2.0apg. He used to play for the Mali national team nine years ago.

Cheick Soumaoro

   #10. Forward Cheick Soumaoro (205-90, currently plays in France) couldn't help SOPCC (17-7) in their last game. Despite Soumaoro's good performance the third-placed SOPCC (17-7) was edged 90-89 in Orchies by the lower-ranked (#7) Orchesien BC in the Group B. He scored 14 points, had 9 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 24 minutes. They ended the series of four consecutive victories. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. Soumaoro has averaged so far 8.9ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.3bpg in 24 games. He is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the Mali senior national team.

   #11. U19 international forward Hassan Drame (201-0, currently plays college basketball in the States) is a teammate of previously mentioned Fousseyni Drame. But that was another game of his team in NCAA which we would like to mention. Drame helped St.Peter's win their game against the Monmouth University 81-69. He recorded only 4 points. Drame has averaged so far 5.3ppg and 5.5rpg. He plays currently for the Mali U19 national team.

   #12. International swingman Sourata Cisse (196-86, currently plays in France) couldn't help Lorient (7-17) in their last game. Despite his good performance Lorient (#13) lost 67-72 in Boulogne-sur-Mer to the second-ranked SO Maritime Boulogne in the Group A. Cisse scored 12 points in 31 minutes. Cisse's stats this year are: 12.0ppg, 3.2rpg and 2.3apg in 20 games. Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Cisse is currently in the Mali national team roster.

   #13. Former international point guard Ibrahim Saounera (179-87, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sourata Cisse and both played together in the last French NM1 game. Saounera couldn't help Lorient in their game against SO Maritime Boulogne. He scored 6 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. His team was defeated 72-67. Saounera's stats this season are: 11.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.3apg and 1.1spg. He used to play for the Mali national team two years ago.

   #14. Former international power forward Baba Samake (200-94, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sourata Cisse. He played also in the last French NM1 game facing Ibrahim Saounera (above) in the other team. Samake couldn't help Lorient in their game against SO Maritime Boulogne. He scored 8 points in only 12 minutes. His team lost 67-72. Samake has averaged so far 2.9ppg and 3.1rpg in 24 games. He used to play for the Mali national team back in 2017.

   #15. Former U18 international forward Mamoudou Diarra (206-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the Cincinnati in their game against the University of Connecticut in the NCAA. Diarra cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. He recorded only 2 points. His team was edged 72-71. Diarra has averaged so far 2.3ppg and 2.7rpg. He used to play for the Mali U18 national team six years ago.


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 Spain). He could not help Andorra (12-9) to beat Burgos (11-10). Sy scored 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 19 minutes. But Andorra lost 88-94 on the road to the lower-ranked (#9) Burgos. It was Andorra's first loss after three consecutive victories. This year Sy averages: 7.2ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.1spg in 17 games he played so far. He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.

   #2. Experienced Drake Reed (194-PG-87, agency: Inception Sports, college: Austin Peay, currently plays in France) was not able to help Saint-Quentin (5-15) in their last game. Despite Reed's very good performance Saint-Quentin lost 75-79 at home to the leading ADA Blois. He had a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 12 rebounds in 39 minutes. It's Reed's first season with the team. Reed has relatively good stats this year: 10.6ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.1apg in 18 games. He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and American.

   #3. Amadou Sow (206-F-98, currently plays college basketball in the States) led UCSB to a victory against the University of Hawaii (3-1) 76-66 in the NCAA in Thursday night's game. Sow recorded 30 points (!!!) and grabbed 6 rebounds. The University of California Santa Barbara has 1-3 conference record this season. Sow has relatively good stats this year: 14.8ppg and 7.3rpg.

   #4. Souleymane Diakite (206-F-99, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the NJIT (3-3) in their last game. Despite his good performance his team lost 75-82 in Jacksonville to the University of North Florida. Diakite had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 15 rebounds. He also added 3 blocks and 3 steals in 37 minutes. This year Diakite's overall stats are: 7.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.9apg and 1.8bpg in 24 games.

   #5. Tahirou Diabate (206-F-98, is currently at the American university) couldn't help the Portland (1-5) in their game against the University of San Diego (1-5) in the NCAA. Despite his very good performance on Saturday night He scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. There are only four games left until the end of the NCAA Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Diabate's overall stats this season are: 9.6ppg and 4.9rpg.

   #6. Mamadou Diakite (196-F-93, college: Immaculata, currently plays in Indonesia) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Bima Perkasa in their game against Pacific Caesar in the Indonesian IBL. Despite his very good performance last Thursday He recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 14 rebounds. Diakite has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.4ppg and 11.0rpg. Diakite has both American and Mali nationalities. Worth to mention Diakite played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

   #7. Thimothee Troussel (203-F-95, agency: The Champions Agency, college: Newman, currently plays in Germany) contributed to a RSV Eintracht's surprising victory against the fourth-ranked Titans 70-68 in the German ProB (third division) on Sunday night. He recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 22 minutes. Troussel has averaged so far 8.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2apg and 1.3spg in six games. He also holds two passports: Mali and French.

   #8. Bourama Sidibe (208-F-97, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the Syracuse in their game against the North Carolina State University in the NCAA. Sidibe cannot count Tuesday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points in 25 minutes. His team lost 74-79. Sidibe has averaged so far 5.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1bpg and 1.1spg in 24 games.

   #9. Nouhoum Bocoum (208-F/C-92, college: Arkansas St., currently plays in Spain) helped Moron win their game against the sixth-ranked Cocinas.com 78-67 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) last Saturday. He scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Bocoum has averaged so far 8.0ppg and 5.3rpg. He holds both American and Mali passports.

   #10. Amadou Sylla (203-F, currently plays college basketball in the States) managed to help Tennessee Tech University in a 2-point victory against the Southeast Missouri State University 62-60 in the NCAA on Saturday night. Sylla scored only one point and grabbed 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. Sylla has averaged so far 5.7ppg and 5.6rpg in 26 games.