From a football-loving kid in southern Senegal to a rising prospect with Napoli Basket, the 19-year-old forward is building his future through hard work, resilience and a firm belief in his potential.
Soft-spoken, polite and quick to smile. Assane Sankare seems almost surprised that the media want to hear his story. But behind his modest demeanor is a young basketball player with a clear sense of purpose and ambitions that extend far beyond Italy.
At 19, the Senegalese forward is beginning a new chapter with Napoli Basket in Italy’s top division Serie A. Standing 6-foot-8 (2.04 meters) and weighing 220 pounds (100 kilograms), Sankaré has already experienced an international move at a young age, a major injury and the challenge of working his way back to competition.
His journey has taken him from Kaour, a town in Senegal’s Sédhiou region, to the professional courts of Italy. Now, as he adapts to a higher level of basketball, he has his sights set on the biggest stage in the sport: the NBA.
“The path I’m taking is a good one, but I really want to play in the NBA,” Sankaré told Seneweb in an exclusive interview. “That’s my biggest dream.”
From Football to Basketball: An Unexpected Beginning
Born on April 10, 2007, in Kaour, Sankaré did not grow up dreaming of becoming a basketball player. Like many children in Senegal, his first sporting passion was football. Basketball entered his life for a rather different reason: his height.
“In Senegal, when you’re born, the first sport you play is football,” he explained. “I played and then people told me, ‘No, you’re too tall. You have to switch to basketball.’ They pushed me toward it a little.”
At first, he was far from convinced.
“I didn’t even want to go onto the court. I refused to go. But over time, I started to enjoy the sport. I saw other players competing in tournaments and winning, and it was an incredible feeling. I wanted to do the same.”
What began as a reluctant change gradually became a passion — one that would take him thousands of miles from home.
Moving to Italy at 16
Sankaré’s potential attracted the attention of Vis 2008 Ferrara, an Italian club known for recruiting and developing young players. At just 16, he left Senegal to pursue his basketball education in Italy.
He made progress in the Under-17 and Under-19 competitions, earning recognition for his performances. One of his early highlights came at the 2024 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, EuroLeague’s premier youth competition, where he was named MVP of the Paris qualifying tournament.
The award marked an important milestone for a player who had discovered basketball relatively late. But his development would soon face a serious obstacle.
A Serious Injury and the Road Back
After moving to Rimini, Sankaré suffered a ligament injury that kept him away from the court for an extended period. The setback interrupted his momentum and forced him to confront one of the toughest challenges a young athlete can face: rebuilding after time away from competition.
He eventually returned to action and continued developing in Italy’s Serie A2, gaining valuable experience and delivering performances that helped put him on Napoli Basket’s radar.
In the summer of 2026, he joined Napoli on a multiyear contract, earning an opportunity to compete in Italy’s top division.
For Sankaré, the move represents both recognition of his potential and the beginning of another demanding learning process.
Learning the Game at Napoli Basket
The transition to Serie A brings new challenges, from the physical demands of the competition to the experience and quality of his opponents. Sankaré knows that earning a place in the rotation will take patience and consistent work.
So far, he has been impressed by the atmosphere within the team and the support he receives from his teammates and coaching staff.
“I like the team, and I like my teammates and the coach,” he said. “They help me a lot with my development, both on and off the court. They’re very good teammates, and I work a lot with the coach, too.”
He recognizes that the level is higher than what he has experienced before.
“Here, the level is higher. For now, I’m training a lot to improve myself and keep progressing.”
His playing time remains limited, but context matters. Sankaré began playing basketball later than many of his peers, and his lengthy injury absence further reduced the amount of competitive experience he could accumulate.
At 19, he is still learning the game while competing against established professionals. His immediate priority is to turn that learning into progress on the court.
A Surprise From an NBA Champion
Napoli’s growing visibility has also brought unexpected moments of excitement for the young Senegalese player.
Among them was the attention of Josh Hart, the New York Knicks guard who won the 2026 NBA championship. Hart has shown support for Napoli Basket on social media, and his comments did not go unnoticed by Sankaré.
“I saw his comments on Instagram, and it made me extremely happy,” Sankaré recalled.
He explained that Napoli had enjoyed an impressive run of more than five consecutive wins across EuroCup and domestic competition before losing to Olimpia Milano, one of Italy’s most established basketball clubs.
“We were winning everything. Then we lost to Milan, which is a legendary team. It’s difficult to beat them. But seeing Josh Hart’s comments really made me happy.”
For a young player whose ultimate ambition is the NBA, receiving recognition from a champion at that level is an encouraging reminder of the world he hopes to enter one day.
Discovering Naples, One Pizza at a Time
Life in Naples is not just about training sessions and games. The city has also given Sankaré an opportunity to discover its culture — particularly its food.
Ask him where to find the best pizza in the world, and there is no hesitation.
“In Naples, wherever you go, you eat well. All the pizzas are good here. Everything, everything, everything!”
It is a simple answer, delivered with the enthusiasm of someone who has quickly found something to love about his new home.
Staying Connected to Senegalese Basketball
Despite building his career in Italy, Sankaré remains connected to the Senegalese basketball community. He regularly speaks with fellow countrymen playing in the Italian leagues and sees their presence as an important part of his experience abroad.
Among the players he mentions are Saliou Niang and his brother Cheikh, Gora Camara, with whom he played at Rimini before Camara moved to Rome, and Ousmane N’Diaye.
“I speak with Saliou often. I know him well, and I also know his brother, Cheikh,” he said.
He also has warm words for the other Senegalese players making their way in Italian basketball.
“They’re all good guys.”
Their experiences offer a connection to home while illustrating the growing presence of Senegalese talent in European basketball.
The Immediate Goal: Win the Italian Cup
For now, Sankaré is focused on making the most of his opportunity at Napoli. His ambitions extend well beyond personal development, and he hopes to contribute to the team’s success.
Asked about his objectives for the season, he identified the Italian Cup as a key target.
“If we win it, then we’ll move on to the next objective,” he said. “I think we can go far. That’s all I can say.”
His answer reflects a young player who understands that individual progress and collective achievement must go hand in hand. Before looking too far ahead, he wants to establish himself and help his team compete for trophies.
“I Know I’m Going to Make It”
The NBA remains the ultimate dream, although Sankaré also sees the EuroLeague as a major destination in his career.
“My biggest dream, like everyone else’s, is to play in the NBA — or even in the EuroLeague. That’s the goal,” he said. “But I really want to play in the NBA.”
He knows that talent alone will not be enough. His message is built around discipline, focus and a genuine love for the game.
“You have to work hard, train a lot and stay focused. You have to love what you do. That’s the most important thing.”
Then comes a statement that captures his confidence in the journey ahead.
“I know I’m going to make it. I’m certain of it.”
It is a bold declaration from a player who still has plenty to prove, but Sankaré appears determined to approach each step with the same commitment that brought him from Senegal to Italy.
A Message to the Next Generation
Sankaré also has advice for young Senegalese players who dream of following a similar path, whether in Europe or eventually in the NBA.
His message is straightforward: work hard, listen to your coaches and remain patient.
“My advice is to train hard and respect your coaches. Work hard, hard, hard, hard. Your day will come.”
From Kaour to Ferrara, from Rimini to Naples, Sankaré’s story is still unfolding. His route has not been straightforward, and his next steps will require patience, development and persistence.
But for a young player who discovered basketball almost by accident, overcame a major injury and earned a place in Italy’s top division before turning 20, the journey itself is already significant.
The NBA is still a dream. Sankaré, however, is convinced that he is on the right path — and he intends to keep working until he gets there.
