Mount St. Mary’s University men’s and women’s basketball programs have fostered a connection with basketball talent from Senegal through assistant coach Sidy Sall and players Abdou Khadre Kébé, Yakhya Diop and Yacine Ndiaye.
Sall joined Mount St. Mary’s as an assistant coach when Donny Lind was hired in 2024. Kébé was a unanimous Preseason All-Metro First Team selection before his junior season, while Diop entered his sophomore campaign and Ndiaye joined the women’s basketball program for the 2026-27 season after transferring from Rutgers.
Four Basketball Journeys From Senegal
Sall, Kébé, Diop and Ndiaye began their basketball journeys at the SEED Academy in Thies, Senegal, according to Mount St. Mary’s. Kébé and Diop later developed their skills at the NBA Academy, while Ndiaye attended Lake Forest Academy in Illinois before beginning her college career at UNCG and spending the previous season at Rutgers.
Most of the players and Sall also played soccer while growing up. Kébé and Ndiaye started playing basketball with friends, Sall was introduced to the sport by his family, and Diop was inspired by a coach.
Kébé competed at the NBA Academy Latin America location in Mexico, while Diop played at the NBA Academy in Senegal. Ndiaye came to the United States earlier in her development through Lake Forest Academy in Illinois.
The application processes for the SEED Academy and NBA Academy are selective. The source says SEED Academy has about 25 spots available to athletes from 54 African nations.
Sidy Sall’s Route to Mount St. Mary’s
Sall attended East Mississippi Community College and Christian Brothers University in Memphis before playing professional basketball in Bahrain, Bolivia and Morocco. After an injury, he moved into coaching and worked as a youth coach with the Memphis Grizzlies before later working with the NBA Academy.
Sall served as an assistant coach for the Senegal Women’s Basketball National Team in 2024. His connection with Kébé also helped Mount St. Mary’s win the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and advance to the NCAA Championship.
Mount St. Mary’s Basketball Opens 2026-27 Season
Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball opens its 2026-27 home schedule with an exhibition against Navy on Oct. 28. The team then opens the regular season at Xavier on Nov. 2.
Mount St. Mary’s women’s basketball also opens its 2026-27 regular season on Nov. 2, hosting Navy at Knott Arena. Ndiaye’s addition gives the women’s program a Senegal connection alongside the men’s program’s relationship with Sall, Kébé and Diop.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Mount St. Mary’s University men’s and women’s basketball programs have established a shared connection to Senegal through coaching and player development. Sall’s arrival helped create that link, while Kébé, Diop and Ndiaye followed different routes through the SEED Academy, NBA Academy, prep school and college basketball.
The connection already includes a verified team accomplishment: Sall and Kébé helped Mount St. Mary’s win the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and advance to the NCAA Championship. Kébé’s preseason recognition and Ndiaye’s arrival for the 2026-27 season extend that story across both Mount basketball programs.
Source: Original report
