Men's team 07 Aug 2026

Valencia Basket signs Oumar Ballo, who will spend next season on loan at Galatasaray

FIBA

Valencia Basket has reached an agreement with Malian center Oumar Ballo (2.13m, Koulikoro, July 13, 2002, 24 years old) to join the club on a three-year contract running through the end of the 2028-29 season. Ballo developed at the Canterbury Academy in Gran Canaria, which grants him homegrown player status for the Liga Endesa. The new Valencia Basket big man will spend the 2026-27 season on loan at Galatasaray MCT Technic, where he will continue gaining experience in European basketball after an impressive campaign in Italy with Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù.

Following his NCAA career, which included stints at Gonzaga, Arizona and Indiana, Ballo made his professional debut last season in Italy. He finished as the Lega's second-leading rebounder (8.4 per game) and led the Italian league in offensive rebounds (3.3 per game). He also averaged 11.3 points on 65.6% shooting from two-point range and 1.1 blocks per game, finishing the season as the ninth-highest rated player in the league with a PIR of 16.6.

News View all