Our Editor-In-Chief takes a look at the early career of Senegal's fast-rising talent Mouhamed “Momo” Faye. The 19-year-old's standout performances in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A and the Basketball Champions League have caught the attention of NBA scouts.
Last Updated on
November 13, 2024
Senegal's Mouhamed “Momo” Faye is the talk of the NBA scouting circuit after an impressive start to his season in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and a strong debut in the Basketball Champions League (BCL).
At just 19, Faye is showing the kind of potential that NBA teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets are taking seriously. Recently, two Lakers scouts attended a Reggiana game, where Faye delivered a breakout performance, finishing with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocksin a win vs Bertram Derthona Tortona, underscoring his abilities on both ends of the court.
Faye plays for Pallacanestro Reggiana, a well-respected and renowned Italian Lega Serie Basket A and Basketball Champions League club, and has quickly become a top prospect to watch. Scouts were drawn to him last season when he conducted several NBA tryouts, choosing ultimately to hold off on declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. Now, projected to go late in the first round or early in the second round of the 2025 Draft, Faye's decision to wait seems incredibly wise.
Faye's journey to this stage has been remarkable. Born in Senegal, he made waves early in his career during the 2022 FIBA U18 African Championship, where he averaged an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double. Known for his athleticism, rebounding, and shot-blocking, he's become one of the most promising young big men in African basketball, following the likes of Cameroon's Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans) and Ulrich Chomche (Toronto Raptors), South Sudan's Wenyen Gabriel (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv), Nigeria's Adem Bona (Philadelphia 76ers) and Mali's Adama Sanogo (Chicago Bulls) [to name but a few].
At 6'10" with a 7'5" wingspan, Faye has the physical tools to make an immediate impact in the Association. And though he needs to work on an outside shot, his talent in the paint makes him a scary presence as a scorer and defender. Reggiana's fans have already dubbed him one of the BCL's brightest young stars after a record-breaking Basketball Champions League debut game that saw him notch 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks—becoming the youngest player to achieve such stats in the league.
For Senegal, Faye represents the latest hope in their continued rise in global basketball, joining a growing list of African players making waves internationally. However, the question remains: Will the Senegal Basketball Federation (FECABASKET) keep Faye committed to the national programme, or could he choose Italy for his international career? With the 2025 Afrobasket qualifiers on the horizon, Faye could bring immense value to Senegal's squad as they look to contend with powerhouses like South Sudan, Cameroon, Egypt, and Angola [once again, to name but a few].
As the countdown to the 2025 NBA Draft begins, Mouhamed "Momo" Faye already stands out as an exciting international prospect, combinding youth, size, and raw talent, with high defensive IQ. With more NBA scouts keeping close tabs on him and Serie A fans eagerly awaiting each game, the basketball world will be paying close attention to Faye's season career going forward. The future is bright for this young star!
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Basketball Champions League]
