WNBA Stars Condemn Sex Abuse of Mali Players

Basketball is promise. Our game should be for everyone, for every player, on every team, in every country.

Breanna Stewart and other US basketball players spoke in support of Mali’s under-18 girl’s basketball team.

In 2021, teenage female players from Mali’s national basketball team accused their coach of sexual abuse. 

He was charged with “attempted rape and molestation.”

The global basketball federation FIBA investigated and found “an institutionalized acceptance of sexual abuse.”

But nearly two years later, survivors and whistleblowers still live under threat and cannot safely play.

Players from the US Women's National Basketball Players Association have a message to sports authorities. 

Basketball is joy, teamwork and opportunity. 

Basketball is promise.

But sexual abuse and harassment in our sport breaks this promise and ruins our dreams.  

We rise up with our sisters in Mali, in Kenya, and all courageous female athletes around the world.

When they stood up to power, they faced retaliation and intimidation, instead of support and care.

Sport leaders have the responsibility to ensure young athletes have the freedom and the safety to play the game they love.  

We call on FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, the International Olympic Committee, and all global sport leaders to do your duty.

We ask you to do more than just speak out and tidy up. 

We ask you to raise the bar for accountability, justice, representation and reform.

We ask you to protect players; and put athletes first — so everyone can experience the joy of basketball.  

Basketball as it should be.

Let's tell FIBA to kick abuse out of sport. Share this video.

If you or a player you know has been a victim of abuse, visit: www.worldplayerscare.co/local-support