Adama Sanogo, a Mali-born with the NBA dream, left his parents, siblings & home country at 15. His parents: Cheickne Sannogo & Awa Traore, have always been supportive of his career.
Sanogo, 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m), currently plays collegiate basketball for the UConn Huskies at the University of Connecticut, having joined in the 2020-21 season.
As a sophomore, he scored his college career-high 31 points in a 115-109 victory against the Auburns on November 24, 2021.
In his junior year, Adama Sanogo led the Huskies to the 2023 NCAA Championship under head coach Dan Hurley with a 76-59 win over San Diego.
The 24-year-old actually grew up playing soccer & wanted to study in France to join his sister.
But it’s fate that he would pursue a career in basketball & aim for the NBA.
An attendant of The Patrick School, Adama’s tall physique and good hands in getting rebounds & blocking shots saw him offers from many colleges.
Sanogo was the round-two prospect of the 2023 NBA draft but went undrafted. Rather, he signed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls.
The top three picks of that draft were Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller & Scoot Henderson.
many are already anticipating witnessing him score baskets in the big league.
Adama Sanogo Parents: Cheickne Sannogo & Awa Traore
Born on February 12, 2002, Adama is one of seven children of Cheickne Sannogo & Awa Traore.
The basketball player, along with his siblings (five sisters & a younger brother), spent their formative years in their hometown of Bamako, Mali.
His father, Cheickne, operates car washes in Bamako- he had five car washes until the Mali government shut one down, trimming it to four.
As for Adama’s mother, Awa, she owned a clothing shop.
Aside from part-time washing cars for his father, Sanogo helped his grandfather with the corn crop at his farm.
The admiration & encouragement for the career interest of kids were always welcome in the Sanogo family.
At the age of 15, Adama went to the United States to attend Our Savior New American School to play basketball. However, at that time, he didn’t know the English language.
Well, the age factor & language bar didn’t Adama from pursuing his basketball career. It wouldn’t diminish his family’s confidence & support for him either.
It won’t be wrong to say their constant encouragement will keep him marching to succeed in his professional career.
Sanogo Is The Second Youngest Of Seven Siblings
Adama has five sisters and one brother. Their names are Mah, Naira, and Chaika Sanogo. Mah, Sanogo’s older sister, has always cared for her younger siblings; her Facebook posts prove it.
Sanogo was born into a family that loves sports.
Sanogo is working hard to achieve his plans and ambitions, even though his sister is studying in France and his younger brother is studying in Italy.
He’s doing well in basketball and inspires people who want to be athletes in Mali and worldwide.
