Amar Sylla

Amar Sylla (born 1 October 2001) is a Senegalese professional basketball player for Filou Oostende of the Belgian Pro Basketball League (PBL). He plays for the Senegalese national under-18 team.

Amar Sylla
Sylla in October 2019
No. 43 – Oostende
PositionPower forward / Center
LeaguePro Basketball League
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
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Real Madrid B
2019–presentOostende
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Senegal
FIBA Africa U18 Championship
2018 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]

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.[11]

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. "Amar Sylla (SEN)'s profile". FIBA. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
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