Ibou Badji

Ibou Dianko Badji, a native of Senegal, was born on October 13, 2002. His passion for basketball quickly made him a standout player in his homeland and eventually led him to a successful career as a professional player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known for his tenacity and skill on the court, Badji became a key figure for the Portland Trail Blazers and also spent time with the Rip City Remix in the NBA G League under a two-way contract.

The 2017-18 season was a critical period for Badji. It was during this time that he trained with the NBA Academy Africa located in Saly, Senegal. Here, he showcased his exceptional talent and became recognized as one of the most promising prospects in his age group. What set him apart from the rest was not just his skill level but his extraordinary physique. At the young age of 15, Badji had already grown to a height of 2.16 meters – approximately 7 feet 1 inch – and possessed a wingspan of 2.29 meters or around 7 feet 6 inches.

On December 27, 2018, Badji’s career took a significant turn when he joined the Spanish basketball club FC Barcelona. He began playing for its youth sections, marking the start of his international career. His potential shone in the ANGT Valencia tournament in December 2019, where he averaged 8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and five blocks per game while playing for U18 FC Barcelona.

Badji spent his off-season in 2019 preparing for the upcoming basketball season by training with Barcelona’s first team. He mostly played for its reserve squad, FC Barcelona B, during the 2019-2020 season in the third-tier LEB Plata league. He showcased his illustrious talent in numerous matches, particularly in an 86-77 victory over Prat where he scored 12 points, secured nine rebounds, and blocked five shots.

Badji’s career took another twist on October 4, 2021, with his move to Força Lleida CE in the LEB Oro – the second-highest level of Spanish club basketball. Despite not being selected in the 2022 NBA draft, he was named to the Wisconsin Herd’s opening night roster later that year on November 3 after signing an Exhibition 10 contract.

His performance attracted the attention of the Portland Trail Blazers, which later resulted in him being signed to a two-way contract on November 18, 2022. Unfortunately, a knee injury forced him to undergo surgery in March 2023, putting an end to his inaugural season with Portland.

In July 2023, the Trail Blazers renewed their faith in Badji by signing him to another two-way contract. However, the stint was short-lived, and he was waived by October that year. Not long after, he returned to the Wisconsin Herd.

But Badji’s NBA journey was far from over. He entered into another two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in November 2023 and made his NBA debut a month later in an impressive 130-113 win over the Sacramento Kings. During a later game against the San Antonio Spurs, he scored 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just fourteen minutes of play.

Besides his club career, Badji has also donned the national colors for Senegal in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup held in Heraklion, Greece. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, ranking second in the tournament. His presence significantly contributed to Senegal’s 15th place finish in the global competition.

In summary, Badji’s relentless aspiration and hard work paved his way from local courts in Senegal to the prestigious NBA arenas. His thrilling journey reflects his extraordinary dedication and love for the sport of basketball. As his journey unfolds, he continues to rise as an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide.