NBA Players from Mali: Full List (2026)
4 NBA players have come from Mali, by Wikipedia’s count. Our table below names 5: players born outside the United States with a tie to Mali, plus current players listed with its nationality. As of October 2026, 1 is on an NBA roster: Keba Keita (Indiana Pacers).
NBA players from Mali at a glance
| NBA players, all time | 4 (Wikipedia count); 5 named in our table |
|---|---|
| On NBA rosters, October 2026 | 1: Keba Keita |
| First to play in the NBA | Soumaila Samake (2002) |
| Longest NBA career | Cheick Diallo (5 seasons) |
| Centers | 4: Soumaila Samake, Adama Sanogo, N’Faly Dante, Keba Keita |
| 7-foot prospects in our database | 4 (see them) |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
Every NBA player from Mali
Sorted by NBA debut, earliest first. Status is as of October 2026, before the 2026-27 regular season, so it includes players on training camp deals.
| Player | Position | NBA seasons | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soumaila Samake | Center | 2002 | Former player | |
| Cheick Diallo | Forward | 2021-22 | Former player | |
| Adama Sanogo | Forward/center | 2023-2025 | Former player | |
| N’Faly Dante | Center | 2025-2026 | Former player | |
| Keba Keita | Center | Rookie in 2026-27 | Indiana Pacers |
Players from Mali in the NBA in 2026-27
- Keba Keita: center, 6’8″, age 23, Indiana Pacers. Rookie; undrafted.
NBA centers from Mali
4 of the 5 players in the table played center or forward/center: Soumaila Samake (2002), Adama Sanogo (2023-2025), N’Faly Dante (2025-2026) and Keba Keita (Rookie in 2026-27). Our database also lists 4 young players from Mali at 7 feet or taller.
7-Foot Prospects from Mali
4 active players from Mali are listed at 7 feet or taller and born in 2001 or later in our 7-Foot Prospect Database, last checked on 9 October 2026:
- Sayon Keita: 7’1″ (216 cm), born in 2008, North Carolina (NCAA D1)
- Abdramane Siby: 7’0″ (213 cm), born in 2006, Syracuse (NCAA D1)
- Amadou Doumbia: 7’0″ (213 cm), born in 2005, Arkansas State (NCAA D1)
- Tiefing Diawara: 7’0″ (213 cm), born in 2006, South Florida (NCAA D1)
See every player, with filters by country, in the 7-Foot Prospect Database.
Player profiles from our archive
This section was first published in 2018. Teams and career details in it are as of that time; the tables above show where things stand in October 2026.
The Mali national basketball team is one of the most regular ones in FIBA Africa Championships. So far they recorded 19 appearances and most times end up among the top ten. Their most significant success happened in 1972 when they won the bronze medal.
Mali NBA Players:
Cheick Diallo
Born on September 13, 1966, he stands 6’ 9” and plays as center/power forward. Currently, he is under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2015 he was widely considered as one of the most talented players in his generation. The fact that he was voted as MVP at 2015 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game only made him even popular with recruiters and scouts. He spent just one season playing college basketball for Kansas before signing up for the 2016 NBA draft. There he was chosen as 33rd by the LA Clippers.
Cheick Diallo is known as a great athlete, but it would be important for him to be able to develop a 3 point shot in order for him to have real longevity in the NBA. Especially on the Pelicans, who don’t have a plethora of 3 shooting.
Soumaila Samake
Samake was born on March 18, 1978, in Bougouni, Mali. This 7′ 0″ center was the first basketball player from Mali to play in the NBA. During the 2000 NBA draft, he was selected in the second round by the New Jersey Nets.
His NBA career spread over three years in which he played only for the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was part of only 47 NBA games in which he made 76 rebounds and scored 68 points. After NBA he went to play for a dozen clubs in Asia and Europe before retiring from professional basketball in 2012. His last club was the Quebec Kebs in the national basketball league of Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How many NBA players are from Mali?
Wikipedia counts 4. Our table names 5 players with a tie to Mali.
Which players from Mali are in the NBA in 2026-27?
As of October 2026: Keba Keita (Indiana Pacers).
Who was the first NBA player from Mali?
Soumaila Samake, who debuted in 2002.
Which centers from Mali have played in the NBA?
Soumaila Samake, Adama Sanogo, N’Faly Dante and Keba Keita.
Are there 7-foot prospects from Mali?
Yes. Our 7-Foot Prospect Database lists 4: Sayon Keita, Abdramane Siby, Amadou Doumbia and Tiefing Diawara.
More guides: NBA players by country. Scouting reports: NBA center prospects.
Sources: Wikipedia, List of NBA players born outside the United States (revision of 3 October 2026); RealGM NBA player list (9 October 2026); Low Key NBA 7-Foot Prospect Database. U.S.-born players with family ties to Mali may be missing from the table. Last checked 9 October 2026.
