Amar Sylla

Amar Sylla (born 1 October 2001) is a Senegalese professional basketball player who plays for Real Betis of the Liga ACB. He also plays for the Senegalese national under-18 team.

Amar Sylla
Sylla in October 2019
No. 43 – Coosur Real Betis
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueLiga ACB
Personal information
Born (2001-10-01) 1 October 2001
Dakar, Senegal
NationalitySenegalese
Listed height2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight86 kg (190 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Real Madrid B
2019–2021Oostende
2021–2022Nevėžis
2022–presentReal Betis
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Senegal
FIBA Africa U18 Championship
Silver medal – second place2018 MaliNational team

Early life and career

Sylla was born in Dakar, Senegal.[1][2] Growing up, he preferred football but began playing basketball at the SEED Academy in Thiès because of his height.[3][4] In 2015, after taking part in a basketball camp in Kébémer organized by NBA player Gorgui Dieng, Sylla moved to Spain to pursue the sport.[5]

At Munich qualifiers for the 2019 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Sylla averaged 14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and three blocks per game.[6] He led the event in blocked shots and was named to the All-Tournament Team. In four games at the final tournament in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Sylla averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. He helped the Real Madrid junior team win the championship.[7][8]

Professional career

On 15 July 2019, Sylla signed with Filou Oostende of the Belgian Pro Basketball League (PBL) and European competition Basketball Champions League (BCL).[9] He signed a three-year contract with an NBA opt-out clause.[10] He played for the Orlando Magic in the 2021 NBA Summer League.[11]

In August 2021, Sylla signed with Lithuanian club Nevėžis.[12] He averaged 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds over 30 games in the season. He played in the 2022 NBA Summer League with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[13]

On 4 August 2022, he signed a one-year contract with Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB.[11]

National team career

Sylla played for the Senegalese national under-18 team at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 African Championship in Bamako, Mali, including in the qualifiers.[5] In seven games, he averaged 13.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, leading Senegal to second place.[14]

In February 2022, Sylla was selected for the Senegal national team to play in the qualifiers of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[15]

References
  1. "Amar Sylla, el futuro del Real Madrid tiene nombre y apellidos" (in Spanish). Gigantes del Basket. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  2. "Sylla" (in Spanish). Real Madrid Baloncesto. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  3. Hein, David (26 March 2019). "ANGT Finals: Madrid's Sylla aims to make Senegal proud". Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  4. "Overview". SEED Project. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  5. "Senegal's Sylla: 'It's always remarkable playing for your country'". FIBA. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  6. "Garuba named MVP of ANGT Munich". Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  7. "Amar Sylla Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  8. "Real Madrid wins the ANGT 2019". EuroHoops. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  9. "NBA-prospect Amar Sylla(17) tekent voor 3 jaar bij FILOU Oostende – Filou Oostende". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  10. "Projected 1st-rounder Sylla signs with Oostende". ESPN.com. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  11. "El interior senegalés Amar Sylla firma por el Coosur Real Betis por una temporada". realbetisbalompie (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  12. "Amar Sylla van Filou krijgt een nieuwe kans in Litouwen". KW.be (in Dutch). 27 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  13. "Cavaliers Announce 2022 Summer League Roster". NBA. July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. "Amar Sylla (SEN)'s profile". FIBA. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  15. "Senegal at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
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