Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Malians who are currently playing abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former U16 international power forward
Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college:
Kansas, currently plays in Japan). He could not help
Kyoto Hannaryz (2-4) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Diallo's very good performance the sixth-placed Kyoto Hannaryz (2-4) was defeated
74-69 on the road by the higher-ranked SeaHorses Mikawa (#5) in the West group.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 11 rebounds. Diallo also added 3 assists.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Diallo has relatively good stats this year: 11.8ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 52.0% and FT: 86.7%.
He played for the Mali U16 national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international center
Sagaba Konate (203-1997, college:
WVU, currently plays in EuroCup). He was not able to help
ratiopharm Ulm in their game against Lietkabelis (1-1) in the Eurocup.
Konate scored only 4 points and added 3 passes.
ratiopharm Ulm was defeated
80-76 in Panevezys by the lower-ranked Lietkabelis (#7).
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Konate averages: 6.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 62.5%.
He played for the Mali national team in 22.
#3. The Mali player who performed third best last week abroad was former U18 international small forward
Adama Traore (197-2005, currently plays in Spain). Traore led
Fuenlabrada 2 to a victory against the 14th-ranked Valsequillo (0-1)
83-71 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Sunday night's game.
He had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 10 rebounds. Traore also added 6 blocks in 25 minutes. It was his first game for Fuenlabrada 2 this season.
His team is placed third in Group B-B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Traore played for the Mali U18 national team year ago.
#4. An experienced swingman
Mamadou Sy (194-1985, college:
Cloud County, currently plays in France) managed to help Entente Cergy Osny Pontoise BB to win against the sixth-ranked STB Le Havre (3-2)
81-72 in the French NM1 (third division) last Friday.
He scored only 4 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Entente Cergy Osny Pontoise BB (3-2) is placed third in Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Sy's overall stats this season are: 5.4ppg, 7.0rpg and 1.6apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.
Sy used to play for the Mali national team
back in 18.
#5. Former international forward
Ibrahima Haidara (202-1992, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for
Feurs CTC (1-4) in their game against Andrezieux (4-1) in the French NM1 (third division).
He scored 7 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, passed 4 assists and added 5 blocks in 34 minutes.
Feurs CTC (#13) was crushed
90-66 on the opponent's court by the much higher-ranked (#3) Andrezieux in the Group B.
It was Feurs CTC's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Haidara has relatively solid stats: 11.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.6apg and 2.4bpg in five games he played so far.
He used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
#6. Guard
Ludovic Chelle (186-1983, currently plays in France) contributed to a 2-point
SOPCC's victory against the seventh-ranked Besancon (2-3)
76-74 in the French NM1 (third division) in Saturday night's game.
Chelle scored 10 points.
SO Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz (4-1) is placed second in Group B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Chelle's overall stats this season are: 9.4ppg and 2.4apg.
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 point guard
Ibrahima Sidibe (180-1995, currently plays in France) contributed to an
Union Rennes' victory against the 14th-ranked Berck (1-4)
83-78 in the French NM1 (third division) last Friday.
He scored 11 points in 22 minutes.
Union Rennes Basket 35 (4-1) is placed second in Group A.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Sidibe has reliable stats this year: 10.6ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.6apg and 1.6spg in five games.
Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Sidibe is currently in the Mali national team roster.
#8. Center
Moustapha Diarra (205-1987, college:
USF, currently plays in France) faced previously mentioned Ibrahima Haidara in the French NM1 last game.
Diarra contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Feurs CTC (1-4) crushing them
90-66.
He scored 10 points.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Diarra's overall stats this season are: 9.2ppg and 5.2rpg.
He used to play for the Mali national team
back in 22.
#9. Former international point guard
Ibrahim Saounera (179-1987, currently plays in France) couldn't help
Lorient (2-3) in their game against Vitre (3-2) in the French NM1 (third division).
Saounera scored 6 points and added 3 assists in 22 minutes.
Lorient (#4) lost
63-74 on the opponent's court to the lower-ranked (#4) Vitre in the Group A.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Saounera's overall stats are: 9.4ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.2apg in five games.
He used to play for the Mali national team
years ago.
#10. 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 (2-3) in their game against Vitre (3-2).
He scored 8 points (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line).
Lorient (#4) was defeated
74-63 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Vitre (#4) in the Group A.
Djambo's total stats this season are: 9.3ppg and 3.3rpg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Mali and American.
Djambo is a former international player as years ago he still played for the Mali senior national team.
#11. Former international point guard
Siriman Kanoute (181-2001, currently plays in France) faced previously mentioned Ludovic Chelle in the French NM1 last game.
Kanoute couldn't help
Besancon in their game against SOPCC. He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Kanoute scored only 2 points in 16 minutes.
His team was edged
76-74.
Kanoute's stats this year are: 12.8ppg, 3.6apg and 2.0spg in five games.
He 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) could not help
ADA Blois (3-2) in their last game. Despite his very good performance ADA Blois was crushed
107-74 on the road by the lower-ranked (#7) JDA Dijon.
Sow had a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 5 assists (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 32 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Sow's first season in pro basketball. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Sow has relatively good stats this year: 10.6ppg, 6.2rpg and 2.2apg in five games he played so far.
#2. Bandja Sy (204-F-1990, agency:
BeoBasket, college:
NM State, currently plays in France) contributed to
Metropolitans' victory against the closely-ranked Le Mans
94-89 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA on Saturday night.
Sy scored 7 points in 15 minutes.
Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (4-0) is placed third in the Betclic ELITE ProA.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Sy averages: 8.3ppg and 2.3rpg in three games.
He has a dual citizenship: Mali and French.
#3. Bakary Camara (201-G/F-1998, college:
Bridgeport, currently plays in Denmark) was not able to help
Randers (3-2) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Camara's good performance Randers was defeated
90-85 on the opponent's court by the leading Naestved.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. Camara also added and 5 steals.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This season Camara has relatively solid stats: 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) contributed to
Fuenlabrada's victory against the closely-ranked Real Betis (1-2)
83-77 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday.
Bagayoko recorded 8 points and had 3 steals in 15 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Urbas Fuenlabrada Madrid (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
This year Bagayoko averages: 5.8ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.0spg in four games.
#5. Mamadou Dembele (209-C-2005, currently plays in Italy) was not able to secure a victory for
Bergamo in their game against Brianza Casa (2-1) in the Italian Serie B (third division). Dembele cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 3 points.
His team was badly defeated
84-67 in Bernareggio by the lower-ranked Brianza Casa (#4) in the Group B.
Dembele's total stats this season are: 1.7ppg and 6.3rpg.
