Senegal's Lions of Teranga lean on point guard Brancou Badio as the second round of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup begins in Dakar. The 27-year-old is the African zone's top scorer, averaging 20.2 points per game and the only player above 20.
Badio, who joined Panathinaikos Athens this summer, comes off a standout campaign with Valencia. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2 assists in nearly 20 minutes per game in the Spanish league title run, and posted 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in the EuroLeague as Valencia reached its first Final Four.
A native of Rufisque, Badio has featured for Senegal's senior team since the age of 20. He was the leading scorer at the last AfroBasket, including 31 and 32-point performances against South Sudan and Nigeria in the knockout rounds as Senegal took a second straight continental bronze medal.
After missing the 2023 World Cup, Senegal are chasing a return to the tournament in Qatar. The 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers are streamed live on Courtside 1891.
