Exclusive interview: From Sédhiou to Italy's Serie A, the meteoric rise of Assane Sankaré

Shy, smiling, and polite, Assane Sankaré seems almost surprised that the press is interested in him. Behind this modesty, however, lies a determined young man, aware of how far he has come and convinced that he can go much further.

In this exclusive interview with Seneweb, the young player looks back on his journey, his adaptation process to Italian basketball, his ambitions and the dreams that have accompanied him since his first steps on the court.

At 19, the 2.04m, 100kg Senegalese forward continues his rise within Napoli Basket, the club owned by American entrepreneur Matt Rizzetta. From Senegal to the Italian courts, this young talent chose basketball almost by chance, but he fully intends to achieve his dreams.

From the football pitches of Sédhiou to the pinnacle of Italian basketball

Born on April 10, 2007 in Kaour, in the Sédhiou region, Assane Sankaré was not initially destined for basketball. Like many young people on the continent, he was passionate about football. But his height ultimately steered his destiny towards another sport.

“In Senegal, when you’re born, the first sport you play is football. I used to play it. Then they told me: ‘No, you’re too tall, you have to switch to basketball.’ They kind of forced me. At first, I didn’t even want to go on the court, I refused to go. But over time, I started to like the sport, because I saw other players participating in tournaments and winning. It was a great feeling, and I wanted to do the same as them,” he says.

Discovered in Senegal by Vis 2008 Ferrara, a talent scouting and development agency, Sankaré moved to Italy at the age of 16. He quickly established himself in the U17 and U19 leagues, where his performances attracted attention. He notably distinguished himself at the EuroLeague's Adidas Next Gen Tournament , where he was named MVP of the Paris leg in 2024.

His career then took a turn for the worse when he joined Rimini and suffered a serious ligament injury. After a long period of rehabilitation away from the court, he gradually returned to competition in Serie A2. His impressive performances, particularly during the playoffs, eventually convinced the management of Napoli Basket. In the summer of 2026, he officially joined the Neapolitan club in Serie A with a multi-year contract. A major challenge for the young Senegalese player, who was experiencing the highest level of Italian competition for the first time.

“I love the team, I also love my teammates and the coach. They help me a lot to progress, both on and off the field. They are very good teammates. I also work a lot with the coach. Here, the level is higher. For now, I am training a lot to improve and continue to progress,” the player explains.

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Between the atmosphere of Naples, Josh Hart's nod, and the NBA dream

In Naples, Sankaré appreciates both the human environment and the sporting demands. The visibility enjoyed by Napoli Basket also brings him pleasant surprises, such as the attention of Josh Hart, 2026 NBA champion with the New York Knicks, who follows and supports the club on social media.

“I saw his comments on Instagram and it made me incredibly happy. We had won more than five games between the EuroCup and the league. We were winning everything. Then we lost against Milan, who are a legendary team. It’s difficult to win against them. But seeing Josh Hart’s comments really made me happy,” he says with a smile.

Off the court, the young player is discovering Neapolitan life and its famous cuisine: "In Naples, wherever you go, you eat well. All the pizzas are good here. Everything, everything, everything!"

Sankaré also maintains close ties with other Senegalese basketball players playing in Italy, notably mentioning Saliou Niang, his brother Cheikh, Gora Camara or Ousmane N'Diaye, whom he describes as all "good guys".

On the sporting front, Assane Sankaré is aiming for the Italian Cup with his club this season, while keeping his ultimate goal in sight: joining the prestigious American league.

“My biggest dream, like everyone else’s, is to go to the NBA, or even to play in the EuroLeague. That’s the goal. The path I’m on is good, but I would really like to play in the NBA. You have to work hard, train a lot, and stay focused. You have to love what you do; that’s the most important thing. I know I’m going to make it, I’m certain of it,” he concluded, also sending a message of encouragement to Senegalese youth.

From Kaour to Ferrara, from Rimini to Naples, his journey testifies to the strength of a dream built with humility, work and determination.