Sika Koné Bio
Sika Koné (KOH-nay) is a Malian basketball player born on 13 July 2002 in Bamako, Mali. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, she plays as a forward and currently represents the Atlanta Dream in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and CAB Estepona Jardin in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto. Drafted 29th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, Koné has built a versatile career spanning Spain’s top women’s league and multiple WNBA franchises since turning professional in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Sika Koné was born and raised in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. Growing up in a country where basketball continues to grow among young women, she developed an early interest in the sport and trained through local programs that introduced her to competitive play. Her size and athleticism quickly marked her as a prospect to watch in regional youth circuits.
As she progressed through her teenage years, Koné committed to refining her game, focusing on forward skills such as rebounding, interior scoring, and defensive presence. Her development in Mali laid the groundwork for the move to professional basketball abroad, and by the time she reached her late teens she was prepared for the demands of top-level European competition.
Path to Basketball
Koné began her professional journey in 2019 at the age of 17 when she signed with SPAR Gran Canaria in Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto. The move to European basketball gave her consistent minutes against experienced professionals and allowed her to adjust to the physical and tactical demands of the senior game.
Over four seasons with SPAR Gran Canaria, Koné grew into a reliable forward, contributing in the paint and earning recognition from international scouts. Her performances in Spain drew attention from WNBA talent evaluators, leading to her selection in the 2022 WNBA Draft. This early professional foundation in Europe set the stage for her transition to the highest level of women’s basketball.
Sika Koné Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Sika Koné began her professional career with SPAR Gran Canaria in 2019, where she played four seasons and developed into a steady contributor in Spain’s top women’s league. Her time on the island helped her adjust to the pace and physicality of senior European basketball while sharpening the skills that had made her a prospect in Mali.
Selected 29th overall by the New York Liberty in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Koné remained overseas for the 2022 season before joining the Liberty for training camp ahead of 2023. She did not make Liberty’s opening day roster and was waived on 16 May 2023. Three days later, on 18 May 2023, the Chicago Sky claimed her off waivers, giving Koné her first sustained WNBA opportunity.
WNBA Breakthrough (2023–2025)
During the 2023 season with the Chicago Sky, Koné appeared in 20 games and averaged 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. Her role with the Sky provided valuable experience at the WNBA level and helped her adjust to the speed and athleticism of the American game.
On 14 April 2024, Koné was traded to the Minnesota Lynx as part of a multi-asset deal. Later that year, on 20 August 2024, she was traded again, this time to the Washington Mystics alongside Olivia Époupa. In August 2025, the Mystics waived her, and on 17 August 2025, Koné signed with the Atlanta Dream, where she continues her WNBA career.
Spanish League Career (2019–Present)
After four seasons with SPAR Gran Canaria, Koné signed with CB Avenida, known commercially as Perfumerías Avenida, and played for the Salamanca-based club from 2023 to 2025. She contributed as a forward in one of the most competitive environments in Spanish women’s basketball, facing top clubs across the Liga Femenina.
In July 2025, Koné signed with CAB Estepona Jardin, continuing her presence in Spain while balancing her commitments with the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA. Her concurrent careers in two strong leagues reflect the demanding schedule many WNBA players navigate during the offseason.
Notable Achievements
In 2024, Koné was part of the Minnesota Lynx roster that won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, a notable milestone in her career. The championship added to her growing list of accomplishments and marked her first piece of silverware at the WNBA level.
Sika Koné Career Wins
Sika Koné’s career wins include the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup earned with the Minnesota Lynx, a marquee in-season tournament title. Beyond team championships, she has logged consistent minutes across multiple WNBA franchises and Spanish clubs, contributing to playoff pushes and regular-season efforts in both leagues.
WNBA Highlights
Koné’s WNBA journey includes stints with the New York Liberty, Chicago Sky, Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, and Atlanta Dream. Her first extended WNBA action came with the Chicago Sky in 2023, where she played 20 games and established herself as a rebounding forward. The 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship with the Minnesota Lynx stands as her most prominent team accomplishment.
Other Wins and Performances
In Spain, Koné played four seasons with SPAR Gran Canaria before joining CB Avenida, where she contributed from 2023 to 2025. Since July 2025, she has played for CAB Estepona Jardin in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, continuing her steady presence in one of Europe’s strongest women’s basketball leagues.
Sika Koné Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Details about Sika Koné’s family background and parents are not publicly verified at this time. Born and raised in Bamako, Mali, she emerged from a basketball culture that has produced a growing number of international women’s players in recent years.
Personal Life
Koné keeps her personal life private, and no public information about a spouse or children has been confirmed. Her professional commitments, balancing WNBA play with the Spanish Liga Femenina, define much of her public profile today.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Sika Koné. She began the year on the Washington Mystics roster before being waived on 5 August 2025. Shortly afterward, on 17 August 2025, she signed with the Atlanta Dream, joining a competitive Eastern Conference roster in the closing stretch of the regular season.
Across her 2025 WNBA stops, Koné continued to provide frontcourt depth and rebounding, while in Spain she wrapped up her tenure with CB Avenida and signed with CAB Estepona Jardin in July. Her ability to contribute immediately in new settings reflects the experience she has built since 2019.
Looking ahead, Koné’s outlook centers on solidifying her role with the Atlanta Dream and continuing her play in Spain with CAB Estepona Jardin. With several WNBA seasons behind her and the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup on her résumé, she remains a promising forward whose career is still in its early chapters.