Sekou Doumbouya
Position: SF/PF
Country: France (Born in Guinea)
Pick: Selected 15th by the Detroit Pistons
Bio: Doumbouya didn’t pick up the game of basketball until he was 12 years old. While he struggled to master the fundamentals at first, Doumbouya’s obsessive drive and work ethic allowed him to hone his craft so effectively he was able to turn pro at 15—the same age when he gained French citizenship.
Doumbouya was born in the former French Colony of Guinea. After turning one, his mother moved Doumbouya and his three siblings to France. Doumboya’s father remained a soldier in Guinea, where he still lives today. Still prideful of his African roots, Doumbouya walked around Barclays Center with a Guinea flag draped over his shoulders after being selected by the Pistons.
Doumbouya was a standout at the Basketball without Borders Global event during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in 2018 and starred while playing in France’s top hoops league last season. He’s drawn comparisons to fellow African hooper and Raptors star Pascal Siakim, which is much to Doumbouya’s delight.
“We almost have the same dimensions and I play like him,” Doumbouya says. “It’s a big inspiration for the African people, African players. Yeah, I’m proud of that.”
