Karim Mané, formerly of the Orlando Magic and Delaware Blue Coats, has made a significant decision to play for Senegal in FIBA international basketball. This move marks a return to his roots, as Mané will represent the country of his birth on the international stage.
Last Updated on
June 2, 2024
Ayo Biyibi
Staff Writer
In the wake of Mo Bamba obtaining his Côte d'Ivoire passport and joining their national team, former NBA and G-League player Karim Mané has made a significant decision of his own. Mané has chosen to honour his heritage and birthright by playing for the Senegal national team in all FIBA-sanctioned games and competitions.
Following a FIBA ruling g on May 28, 2024, the Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSBB) announced that Karim Mané, who was born in Dakar, Senegal, Mané but moved to Canada with his family at age seven and later naturalised as a Canadian citizen, is now authorised to play for the Senegal national team.
After discussions between the Senegalese Basketball Federation and Mané, who expressed his desire to represent Senegal, FSBB facilitated negotiations with FIBA. This was followed by an administrative process to permit the 6'3" point guard to play for the West African nation.
After FIBA's decision to authorise Karim Mané to play for Senegal, national team coach Mr. Desagana Diop expressed:
“It’s a big step forward for Senegal to see one of its children return. Karim is a player who occupies a position where we are a little lacking in resources. I hope he will be able to seize this opportunity and quickly integrate into the current group."
Karim Mané also released the following statement:
“I thank God for allowing me to finally be able to defend the national colors of Senegal. I humbly receive this news from FIBA as an additional source of motivation to reach the heights. Playing for Senegal is a true blessing for me and makes me and all the members of my family proud, both in Senegal and elsewhere. I very much wish to contribute effectively to the influence of Senegalese basketball. I will spare no effort to respond to all requests from the national team of my country of heart, Senegal. Thank you in advance to everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts in this new chapter of my life."
The 2000-born Mané found himself in a unique position when he competed for Canada against his country of birth Senegal during the FIBA U19 World Championships in Greece in 2019. However, the real game-changer came the following year when Karim made a significant transition to professional basketball.
Having served as a guard for the Vanier Cheetahs Men's Division 1 Basketball Team in Canada for three years, he achieved a remarkable feat by becoming their first-ever student-athlete to secure a direct NBA contract. Karim's journey to the NBA was anything but conventional, as he bypassed the traditional NCAA route, went undrafted, but ultimately signed with the Orlando Magic.
Recently, Mané competed for Bulgarian league club BC Shumen, achieving career-high statistics with averages of 21.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and six assists. His contribution was instrumental in propelling the Shumen Province-based team to a 7th-place finish and their first playoff appearance since 2002.
However, Mané's tenure at Shumen was overshadowed by controversy when he was attacked by a rival player during a Bulgarian League game. With 5:15 remaining in the second quarter of a matchup between Levski and Shumen, Levski's seasoned forward, Zlatin Georgiev, was ejected for aggressively hurling the game ball at Mané and attempting to strike him before being restrained by his teammates.
The Senegal men's national team is set to take to the court in November for the Afrobasket 2025 qualifiers. The FSBB is arranging a tournament in Dakar this August to gear up for these qualifiers. The tournament will feature the participation of numerous nations, including Tunisia, the reigning AfroBasket champions.
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