Basketball World Cup 2027 (qualifying): Desagana Diop unveils his list of 12 Lions

This Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the coach of the Senegalese basketball Lions, Ngagne Desagana Diop, announced his group of 12 players selected for the 4th window of World Cup qualifying. This phase will take place in Dakar from August 27 to 30.

Two names ultimately do not appear on the list: Gora Camara, who plays for Roma Basket, and Amar Sylla, from the Comodoro club. This is the second time in a row that these two interiors have missed a Lions rally. Sylla had already missed the July tournament due to injury, and Camara finds himself sidelined again for this August window.

The coach emphasizes that competition was particularly tight in the domestic sector, a sign of the depth of the current squad. The two players not selected had nevertheless taken part in the last Afrobasket.

Conversely, five players will experience their first official selection with the national team: Amadou Wade (nicknamed Noireau), Pape Ibrahima Ndiaye, Mouhamed Faye, Atoumane Diagne and Mouhamadou Guèye. The stars of the team, Jean-Jacques Boissy and Branco Badji, will be there.

The list of 12 Lions

Leaders-backs : Brancou Badio (Panathinaikos), Jean Jacques Boissy (Al Ahly Benghazi), Pape Ibrahima Ndiaye (Alliance Sportive Casablanca), Babacar Diallo (High Point University)

Wingers/Strong Wingers : Pape Moustapha Diop (Saint-Chamond Basket), Mbaye Ndiaye (Olympiakos), Ibrahima Fall Faye (Shanxi Longs), Mouhamadou Guèye (Valence)

Pivots : Ibou Dianko Badji (Shenzhen Leopards), Amadou Wade (AS Douanes), Atoumane Diagne (Lleida Basket), Mouhamed Faye (Paris Basket)

The Lions program (Group F)

Thursday August 27, 6:30 p.m.: Egypt – Senegal
Saturday August 29, 6:30 p.m.: Senegal – Angola
Sunday August 30, 6:30 p.m.: Mali – Senegal

OBN