Here is the weekly review of the top performing Mali players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former U16 international power forward
Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college:
Kansas, currently plays in Japan). He contributed to a 1-point
Kyoto Hannaryz's victory against the seventh-ranked Sendai 89ers (0-2)
66-65 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night.
Diallo had a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 33 minutes on the court.
Kyoto Hannaryz (2-0) is placed third in West group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Diallo averages: 10.0ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.0apg and FT: 75.0% in two games he played so far.
He played for the Mali U16 national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward
Ibrahima Haidara (202-1992, currently plays in France). He could not help
Feurs CTC (1-1) in their last game. Despite Haidara's very good performance the fifth-placed Feurs CTC (1-1) lost
75-86 on the road to the second-ranked Orchesien BC in the Group B.
He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 11 rebounds. Haidara also added 3 assists in 34 minutes.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Haidara has relatively good stats this year: 15.0ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.5apg, 3FGP: 35.7% and FT: 87.5% in two games.
He played for the Mali national team in 22.
#3. The Mali player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international swingman
Mamadou Sy (194-1985, college:
Cloud County, currently plays in France). Sy was not able to help
Pontoise in their game against Kaysersberg (1-1) in the French NM1 (third division).
He scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Pontoise (#4) was defeated
71-66 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Kaysersberg (#8) in the Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Sy's overall stats this season are: 3.5ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg.
He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.
Sy played for the Mali national team year ago.
#4. Point guard
Ibrahima Sidibe (180-1995, currently plays in France) led
Union Rennes to a victory over the eighth-ranked Lourdes-Tarbes (1-1)
86-69 in the French NM1 (third division) in Friday night's game.
He was MVP of the game. Sidibe scored 16 points in 25 minutes.
Union Rennes Basket 35 (1-2) is placed fourth in Group A.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Sidibe has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg and 2.0spg in two games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and French.
Despite Sidibe played previously for the French U20 national team, he is currently in the Mali national team roster.
#5. Former international point guard
Ibrahim Saounera (179-1987, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for
Lorient (2-1) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Saounera's good performance Lorient (#3) was defeated
90-75 in Les Sables-D'Ollone by the lower-ranked Les Sables (#6) in the Group A.
He was the second best scorer with 11 points. Saounera also added 6 passes.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Saounera has reliable stats this season: 10.5ppg, 1.5rpg and 4.5apg.
Similarly like Sidibe and Sy above he has both Mali and French nationalities.
Saounera used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
#6. Guard
Ludovic Chelle (186-1983, currently plays in France) contributed to
SOPCC's victory against the fourth-ranked SPO Rouen (2-1)
88-74 in the French NM1 (third division) on Saturday night.
He scored 9 points in 16 minutes.
SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz (2-0) is placed third in Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Chelle's overall stats are: 9.0ppg and 3.0apg in two games.
Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Chelle is also a former international player as he played for the Mali senior team year ago.
#7. Former international center
Moustapha Diarra (205-1987, college:
USF, currently plays in France) couldn't help
Andrezieux (1-1) in their game against Caen (1-2) in the French NM1 (third division).
He scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Andrezieux (#6) was crushed
99-77 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Caen (#11) in the Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Diarra's total stats this season are: 7.5ppg and 3.5rpg.
He used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
#8. Forward
Ibrahim Djambo (209-1992, college:
Hofstra, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Ibrahim Saounera and both played together in the last French NM1 game.
Djambo couldn't help
Lorient (2-1) in their game against Les Sables (1-1).
He scored only 4 points in 15 minutes. It was his first game for Lorient this season.
Lorient (#3) lost
75-90 in Les Sables-D'Ollone to the lower-ranked (#6) Les Sables in the Group A.
Djambo also holds two passports: Mali and American.
He used to play for the Mali national team
back in 21.
#9. Former international point guard
Siriman Kanoute (181-2001, currently plays in France) couldn't help
Besancon (1-1) in their last game on Friday. Despite Kanoute's very good performance Besancon (#7) was defeated
80-70 at home by the leading Mulhouse in the Group B.
He was the top scorer with 23 points. Kanoute also added 3 steals.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Kanoute has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 17.5ppg, 2.5apg and 2.0spg.
Kanoute used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
The list of other players, who all have Mali passport but never been selected to any of Mali national teams: #1. Amadou Sow (206-F-1998, college:
UCSB, currently plays in France) was the major contributor in an
ADA Blois' victory against the league outsider Paris (0-3)
104-99 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA in Saturday night's game.
He scored 15 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 22 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Sow's first season in pro basketball. ADA Blois Basket 41 (3-0) is placed first in the Betclic ELITE ProA.
So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
This year Sow averages: 8.0ppg, 5.0rpg and 2.0apg in three games he played so far.
#2. Bakary Camara (201-G/F-1998, college:
Bridgeport, currently plays in Denmark) led
Randers to an easy victory against the seventh-ranked Amager (1-2)
95-77 in the Danish BasketLigaen last Saturday.
He scored 15 points, had 4 boards, passed 4 assists and added 6 steals; not bad, considering it's only Camara's first season in pro basketball. Randers Cimbria Basketball (2-1) is placed third in the BasketLigaen.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Camara has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3bpg and 4.3spg.
Camara has a dual citizenship: Mali and American.
#3. Bassala Bagayoko (208-C-2006, currently plays in Spain). Bagayoko could not help
Fuenlabrada (2-1) to beat Granada (1-1).
He recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Fuenlabrada was edged
83-81 at home by the much lower-ranked Granada (#11).
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Bagayoko's overall stats this season are: 5.5ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.5apg and 2.5spg.
