Here is the weekly review of the top performing Mali players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international center
Sagaba Konate (203-1997, college:
WVU, currently plays in Germany). He could not help
ratiopharm Ulm (1-0) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Konate's very good performance ratiopharm Ulm was defeated
85-80 on the road by the lower-ranked Seawolves (#5).
He was the top scorer with 17 points. Konate also added 7 rebounds. It was his first game for ratiopharm Ulm this season.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Konate played for the Mali senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former U16 international power forward
Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college:
Kansas, currently plays in Japan). Diallo was not able to help
Kyoto Hannaryz in their game against FE Nagoya (4-0) in the Japanese B1 League.
He scored 8 points, had 10 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 33 minutes.
The sixth-placed Kyoto Hannaryz (1-3) lost
66-78 in Nagoya to the leading FE Nagoya in the West group.
It was Kyoto Hannaryz's third consecutive loss in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Diallo has relatively good stats this year: 10.3ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 45.5%, 3FGP: 14.3% and FT: 88.9% in four games he played so far.
He played for the Mali U16 national team in 11.
#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). He was not able to secure a victory for
Pontoise (2-2) in their last game. Despite Sy's good performance Pontoise (#3) was badly defeated
95-78 in Rouen by the second-ranked SPO Rouen in the Group B.
He recorded 12 points in 33 minutes.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Sy averages: 5.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 42.9% and FT: 33.3% in four games.
He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.
Sy played for the Mali national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Ibrahima Haidara (202-1992, currently plays in France) couldn't help
Feurs CTC (1-3) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his good performance Feurs CTC (#11) was defeated
75-69 at home by the leading Mulhouse in the Group B.
Haidara recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Haidara has relatively solid stats: 12.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.3apg and 1.8bpg.
He used to play for the Mali national team
back in 22.
#5. Former international center
Moustapha Diarra (205-1987, college:
USF, currently plays in France) led
Andrezieux to a 3-point victory against the seventh-ranked Besancon (2-2)
90-87 in the French NM1 (third division) on Friday night.
Diarra scored 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 25 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Andrezieux Boutheon Loire Sud Basket (3-1) is placed fourth in Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Diarra's overall stats are: 9.0ppg and 5.8rpg in four games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and French.
Diarra used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Ibrahim Djambo (209-1992, college:
Hofstra, currently plays in France) couldn't help
Lorient (2-2) in their game against Lourdes-Tarbes (2-2) in the French NM1 (third division). Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game He was the top scorer with 13 points. Djambo also added 4 rebounds.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Djambo's total stats this season are: 9.7ppg and 3.7rpg.
He has both American and Mali nationalities.
Djambo is a former international player as he played for the Mali senior team year ago.
#7. Former international guard
Ludovic Chelle (186-1983, currently plays in France) was the major contributor in
SOPCC's victory against the 14th-ranked Hyeres-Toulon (0-4)
74-63 in the French NM1 (third division) last Tuesday.
He recorded 11 points and added 3 passes in 20 minutes.
SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz (3-1) is placed sixth in Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Chelle's total stats are: 9.3ppg, 1.3rpg and 2.5apg in four games.
Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Chelle is currently in the Mali national team roster.
#8. Point guard
Ibrahim Saounera (179-1987, currently plays in France) is a teammate of previously mentioned Ibrahim Djambo. But that was another game of his team in French NM1 which we would like to mention.
Saounera led
Lorient to a victory over the tenth-ranked Loon-Plage (2-2)
70-58.
He was MVP of the game. Saounera recorded 13 points.
CEP Lorient Basket (2-2) is placed fourth in Group A.
Saounera has reliable stats this season: 10.3ppg, 1.5rpg and 3.3apg.
He used to play for the Mali national team
back in 22.
#9. Former international point guard
Ibrahima Sidibe (180-1995, currently plays in France) contributed to an
Union Rennes' victory against the fifth-ranked Vitre (2-2)
90-80 in the French NM1 (third division) in Tuesday night's game.
Sidibe recorded 8 points and added 4 passes in 29 minutes.
Union Rennes Basket 35 (3-1) is placed second in Group A.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Sidibe's stats this year are: 10.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg and 1.8spg in four games.
Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Sidibe is currently in the Mali national team roster.
#10. Center
Souleymane Traore (210-2002, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help
Zamora (0-2) in their game against Burgos (1-1) in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division).
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Zamora (#14) was crushed
86-62 on their home court in Zamora by the higher-ranked Burgos (#13) in the West group.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Traore has averaged so far 2.0ppg and 5.5rpg.
He is a former U19 international player as years ago he still played for the Mali national team.
#11. Former international point guard
Siriman Kanoute (181-2001, currently plays in France) managed to help Besancon Avenir Comtois Basket in a victory against the tenth-ranked SO Maritime Boulogne
91-76 in the French NM1 (third division) on Tuesday night.
Kanoute recorded 5 points and added 5 passes in 20 minutes.
Kanoute has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 4.0apg and 2.0spg in four games.
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) led
ADA Blois to a victory against the 12th-ranked Provence Basket (1-2)
75-70 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA in Saturday night's game.
He recorded 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes.
ADA Blois Basket 41 (4-0) is placed first in the Betclic ELITE ProA.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
This year Sow averages: 9.0ppg, 5.3rpg and 1.5apg in four games he played so far.
#2. Sidiki Kone (211-F/C-2001, currently plays in Montenegro) managed to help KK Mornar-Barsko Zlato Bar in a victory against the tenth-ranked Milenijum (0-1)
78-73 in the Montenegrin Erste Liga on Monday night.
He recorded only 4 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in 12 minutes. It was his first game for Mornar this season.
His team is placed second in the Erste Liga.
Kone's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Kone has a dual citizenship: French and Mali.
#3. Bakary Camara (201-G/F-1998, college:
Bridgeport, currently plays in Denmark) could not help
Randers (3-2) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his good performance Randers was defeated
90-85 on the road by the leading Naestved.
Camara recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added and 5 steals.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Camara has relatively good stats this season: 14.0ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.0apg and 4.0spg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and American.
#4. Bassala Bagayoko (208-C-2006, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams
Fuenlabrada in their game against Barca (3-0) in the Spanish Liga Endesa.
Bagayoko scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Fuenlabrada was crushed
84-56 at home by the leading Barca.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Bagayoko averages: 5.0ppg, 4.7rpg and 1.7spg.
#5. Mamadou Dembele (209-C-2005, currently plays in Italy) contributed to
Bergamo's victory against the 11th-ranked Cd'Orlando (0-2)
97-86 in the Italian Serie B (third division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored only 2 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
WithU Bergamois placed in Group B.
Dembele has averaged so far 1.0ppg and 8.5rpg.
