Two Sensational Siblings Ignite German Basketball Hype
After their impressive debuts together for the German national basketball team, Nyara and Satou Sabally are exciting fans with the promise of many more thrilling moments. The Sabally sisters will be vital if Germany hopes to make its Olympic Games debut for the first time this spring.
Autographs and selfies galore – following her somewhat challenging comeback, Satou Sabally reveled in the adoration of her numerous German admirers like a sponge. "I saw the delight gleaming in their eyes, even though I didn't have my best game. It truly sends my heart racing," said Germany's top female basketball player after the German national team's narrow 53-70 loss against Italy in the (competition-insufficient) European Championship qualifier. She described the occasions in Hamburg as "incredibly special" and "unique beyond belief."
Four years have passed since Sabally re-joined the national team – and with her, the hopes of success. However, three days after the stress-free 85-41 victory over Czech Republic, the DBB team faced an unmistakable hiccup on Sunday. Just before the vital Olympic qualifying tournament in February, the team led by national coach Lisa Thomaidis still had much to improve.
"There are a few things we should tidy up," said Sabally, the WNBA star from Berlin, who quickly rose to the top scorer role with 21 points against Czech Republic and 11 against Italy. The talent within the team abounds, "but we still need to unite more." In general, the top player said that "we can go into February with confidence. We have great prospects."
"We'll prevail in February"
Nyara Sabally, Satou's younger sister by two years, is also part of this promising perspective. She celebrated her maiden international debut for Germany last week and hinted at her vast potential with 17 and 12 points in the highly anticipated "Sister Act." The state of women's basketball in Germany is reminiscent of the German men, where the brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner have played a decisive role in their team's success.
"It takes some time when new players join, especially when they're both in the top five," said 21-year-old Nyara Sabally, but she remained optimistic despite the indisputable coordination issues: "We just need to keep at it. The chemistry will come. We're all talented basketball players, it will eventually come together."
Time is running short. In less than two months, the qualifying tournament in Belem, Brazil, will take place from February 8 to 11. With a difficult group consisting of the hosts, Serbia, and Australia, at least third place is a must. "The dream is immense," said Nyara Sabally. She estimates their chances of making it to Paris next summer as "extremely likely." "I believe in each and every member of our team that we can do it in February. It's our goal and the reason we're heading there with our chins held high."
In the weeks that follow, however, the German team will only reunite via video calls. Playing club basketball is now a priority for the players. For Satou Sabally, the next adventure began on Monday – after a brief stint with the national team, the Dallas Wings star headed to China for her upcoming assignment with the Shandong Six Stars.
Together, Nyara and Satou Sabally aim to contribute substantially to Germany's pursuit of a spot in the Olympic Games' basketball event for the first time this spring. The long-term success of the German team in international competitions heavily depends on their ability to perform cohesively and demonstrate their collective basketball skills.
Enrichment Data
Satou Sabally's National Team Career:
- EuroBasket Qualifiers: Sabally has featured in Germany's national team during the EuroBasket Women 2025 qualification. In November 2023, she played in her first two matches, including a win against Czechia, with her sister Nyara by her side for the first time in the senior national team[3].
- Olympic Qualifying Tournament: In February 2024, Sabally took part in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belém. She suffered a shoulder injury in the opening game but returned for the crucial deciding game against Brazil, where she was named Player of the Game, helping Germany secure a winning spot in the Olympic Tournament for the first time[3].
- Paris Olympics: Sabally helped lead the German team to the quarterfinals in their inaugural Olympic appearance. She led her team with 17 points in the first game against Belgium and scored 33 points against Japan, ranking eighth in women's Olympic tournament history with this point tally[3].
Nyara Sabally's National Team Debut:
- EuroBasket Qualifiers: Nyara made her debut with Germany's senior national team in November 2023, partnering her sister Satou in the EuroBasket Women 2025 qualification. They first featured together in a victory against Czechia[3].
Impact on Qualification Chances:
The addition of both Sabally sisters has been instrumental in propelling Germany's national team to success, particularly in recent international competitions. Their performances have significantly improved their prospects and provided a solid foundation for future international events.
