Badji Named to February 2026 Team Senegal Men’s Qualifying Roster

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Greensboro Swarm center Ibou Badji has been selected to represent Senegal Basketball on the February 2026 Senegal Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team, it was announced today.

The big man joins his home country for Team Senegal’s opening qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, set for August 27 to September 12, 2027, in Qatar.

Badji returns to Senegal Basketball after previously earning a bronze medal in August at the FIBA AfroBasket 2025. He also represented Senegal at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, averaging 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, which ranked second in the tournament.

During his 2025-26 NBA G League campaign, Badji is averaging 5.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks across 15.6 minutes across 27 games in all competition, moving his averages to 5.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 16.5 minutes across 18 regular-season games.  

Chasing its first World Cup Qualification since 2019, Team Senegal opens Group B action in Badji’s hometown of Dakar, Senegal, the country's capital. The team will open training camp before hosting Côte d'Ivoire (Feb. 26), Madagascar (Feb. 28) and DR Congo (March 1), with all contests set for 4 p.m. ET on Courtside 1891.

For more information on the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup, click here.