Satou Sabally key to Germany’s hopes at Paris 2024
Germany have risen six spots in the FIBA women’s world rankings in just under a year—the joint second-highest jump among all teams in the rankings.
One of the main reasons for Germany’s surge has been the play of Satou Sabally. After guiding Fenerbahçe to a third successive Turkish Super League championship and the EuroLeague title in 2023, the 26-year-old rejoined her WNBA team (the Dallas Wings) and went on a tear, posting career highs in points (18.6), rebounds (5.8), assists (4.4) and steals (1.8) per game. For her efforts, the 6-foot-4 (1.93m) forward was named to her second All-Star team and first All-WNBA First Team, and also received the Most Improved Player award.
But Sabally wasn’t done, as she set her sights on competing for Germany at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belém, Brazil.
The OQT was one of four contested by 16 national teams all over the world, with the top teams earning a place at Paris 2024. Germany’s passage to the Games was by no means guaranteed, as they faced two-time EuroBasket champions and Rio 2016 bronze medallists Serbia, three-time Olympic silver medallists Australia and 2023 FIBA AmeriCup champions Brazil in a brutal group.
But a stunning opening 73-66 win over Serbia (a game in which Sabally posted 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals) meant Germany only needed to win one of their remaining two games to earn their first-ever Olympic berth. Coach Lisa Thomaidis rested Sabally for the next game against Australia (a convincing 85-52 win for the Opals), knowing her team stood a better chance against Brazil with her best players well-rested for the encounter. It was a risky strategy, but one that paid off as Sabally returned with a monster line of 20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to guide Germany to a 73-71 win and a spot at the women’s basketball tournament in Paris.