Satou Sabally fights for the WNBA title with the Phoenix Mercury. The German national player talks about her ambitions in an exclusive Sport1 interview – and looks positively at the European Championship at the European Championship.
With Phoenix Mercury, Satou Sabally is looking forward to the highlight of the season in the WNBA. Is the German litter this year and can she win the title after her sister Nyara in the previous year?
In an exclusive Sport1 interview, Sabally manifests her sporting goals and shows her anticipation for the 2026 World Cup in their own country, which makes a big dream come true for her.
Satou Sabally is looking forward to the playoffs in the WNBA
Sabally trusts the men around superstar Dennis Schröder at the European Championship. The men’s DBB team inspires 27-year-old enormously. Sabally also sets a sign against racism and openly speaks about acceptance in German society.
WNBA: Sabally and Phoenix in the title fight
Sport1: The playoffs in the WNBA are only two weeks away. Is it already tingling?
Satou Sabally: I’m really looking forward to the playoffs. Now it is really a matter of being as good as possible in the table and maybe improving in third or two. But otherwise it is simply about the maximum preparation for the playoffs.
Sport1: The Phoenix Mercury recently had a bit difficult against top teams, also due to the fact that their best players could not play together often. In the meantime you are all fit. What else is in your first season with the new team?
Satou Sabally: Everything is in there. We really want to win the championship. We also know that we have a new team structure and that we have to take time. The top teams have already played together. They went through ups and downs. For us, it is now about overcoming these ups and downs and know how we deal with each other.
Sport1: Her younger sister Nyara won the New York Liberty last season. Have you been happy? And how big is the incentive to do it yourself?
Satou Sabally: She is an inspiration. I followed her all the time and could experience what it actually needs, how to play, how to prepare. That’s why I was very happy to be there because I didn’t get that far with Dallas. And now it’s about doing exactly the same thing, going my own way.
Moore and Rose as role models
Sport1: Who were their role models as a little girl?
Satou Sabally: Maya Moore and Skylar Diggins. And Derrick Rose was really the first, which is why I wanted to watch NBA games at all. Then there are players like Candace Parker who played at Fenerbahce in Europe. And that inspired me to play in Europe and win the championship in Europe.
Sport1: Now there are girls who have as a role model …
Satou Sabally: This is incredible and I sometimes have to realize that little girls and little boys look at me, come especially to the game, tell the parents: ‘Hey, that’s my birthday wish!’ Or: ‘Hey, that’s my Christmas wish.’ This is not a matter of course and I’m so happy to inspire children.
Sport1: Attention for basketball in Germany is increasing, on the one hand is due to the men, but also because the women’s national team presents itself, especially at the Olympics. How big is the anticipation for the home world championship next year?
Satou Sabally: This is a dream that becomes true. I couldn’t even dream of playing in Berlin at some point. I am very pleased that the wave in Germany is just so big for basketball.
Sabally trusts the DBB team a medal
Sport1: The European Championships runs, what do they trust the team around Wagner and Schröder?
Satou Sabally: Of course a medal! Gold would be nice. I fire them and hopefully I can also look at a few games, despite the time difference. It is inspiring that you take the time and really act for the German national team.
Sport1: Dennis Schröder has recently said that he would never find out as much love in Germany as Dirk Nowitzki and justified it that he is black. To what extent can you understand the statement and have you had similar experiences?
Satou Sabally: This is a very real topic that Dennis has addressed. I think you have to take it very seriously how black members of German society are treated, on the social level, at the community level, in professional life. Dirk Nowitzki is a legend. He did so many things. I am also friends with Dirk and he is also aware of his privileges. But yes, Dennis is right and I think you can hold a mirror for German society: What does it really mean to be diverse and to have a community that stands for everyone?
Satou Sabally is Fighting for the Wnba Title with the Phoenix Mercury. The German National Player Talks in an Exclusive Sport1 Interview about Her ambitions – and looks positive at the German men at the European Championship.
Satou Sabally is Eagerly Awaiting the Season Highlight in the Wnba with Phoenix Mercury. Will the German Suc ped in The Big Coup This Year and Can She Win the Title After Her Sister Nyara Last Year?
In an exclusive sport1 interview, Sabally Manifests Her Sporting Goals and Shows Her Anticipation for the 2026 World Cup in Her Own Country, which will make a big dream come true for her.
Satou Sabally is Eagerly Awaiting the Playoffs in the WNBA
Sabally Believes The Men Around Superstar Dennis Schröder Can Win a Medal at the European Championship. The DBB Team of Men Inspires The 27-Year-Old Enormously. Sabally so sets to example Against Racism and Speaks Openly About Acceptance in German Society.
WNBA: Sabally and Phoenix in the Title Fight
Sport1: The Playoffs in the Wnba are only Two Weeks Away. Are you already excited?
Satou Sabally: I’m Really Looking Forward to the Playoffs. Now it’s real about fetting as high as possible in the table and maybe improving to third or second place. But OtherWise it’s just about maximum Preparation for the playoffs.
Sport1: The Phoenix Mercury Have Had Some Difficultures Against Top Teams Recently, Partly Due to the Fact that their best players have not beings to play together. Now you are all fit. What Else is possible in your first season with the new team?
Satou Sabally: Everything is possible. We realy want to win the championship. So know that we have a new team Structure and that we need to take our time. The top teams have all played with each other before. They have gone through -ups and downs. For us, it’s now about overcoming thesis ups and downs and knowing how to deal with each other.
Sport1: Your YOUNGER SISTER NYARA WON THE TISTLE with the New York Liberty Last Season. Were you you happy? And how big is the incentive to do it yourself?
Satou Sabally: She is inspiration. I followed her all the time and was able to experience what it actually take, how you have to play, how you have to prepare. That’s why i was so happy to be die to be there, because i didn’t get that far with dallas. And now it’s about doing exactly the same thing, going my own way.
Moore and Rose as Role Models
Sport1: Who Were Your Role Models As a Little Girl?
Satou Sabally: Maya Moore and Skylar Diggins. And Derrick Rose was real the first Reason Why I Wanted to Watch Nba Games at All. TON THE ARE PLAYERS LIKE CANCE Parker, Who Played for Fenerbahce in Europe. And that Inspired Me to Play in Europe and Win the Championship in Europe as Well.
Sport1: Now there are girls who look up to you as a role model …
Satou Sabally: That’s Incredible and I Sometimes Have To Realize That Little Girls And Little Boys Look Up To Me, Come To The Game Especialy, Tell Their Parents: ‘Hey, that’s my Birthday Wish!’ Or: ‘Hey, that’s my Christmas wish.’ That’s not a matter of course and I’m so happy to inspire children.
Sport1: The Attention for Basketball in Germany is Increasing, Partly Due to the men, but so due to how the women’s national team presents itself, especialy at the Olympics. How much are you looking forward to the home world cup next year?
Satou Sabally: That’s a Dream Come True. I Couldn’t Even Dream of Playing in Berlin at some point. I’m very happy that the wave in germany is so big for basketball right now.
Sabally Believes The DBB Team Can Win a Medal
Sport1: The European Championship for Men Is Underway, What do you think the team around Wagner and Schröder Can Achiev?
Satou Sabally: of Course A Medal! Gold would be nice. I’m Cheering Them on and Hopefully I Can Watch A Few Games, Despite The Time Difference. It’s Inspiring that they take the time and real play for the German National Team.
SPORT1: Dennis Schröder Recently Said that he would never experience as much love in germany as dirk Nowitzki and Justified This by Saying that he is black. To what Extent Can You Understand the Statement and Have You Had Similar Experiences?
Satou Sabally: That’s a very real issue that Dennis Brought Up. I Think You have to take serious How Black Members of German Society Are Treated, On A Social Level, On A Community Level, in Professional Life. Dirk Nowitzki is a legend. Hey Done so many things. I’m so Friends with dirk and he’s aware of his privilege. But Yes, Dennis is right and i think you can hold a mirror up to German Society: what does it real mean to be diverse and to have a community that for everyone?