OLD FRIENDS, NEW COURT: The Senegalese Connection at UAlbany
By Quincy Irvin | October 26, 2026
The University at Albany men’s basketball team enters the 2026-2027 season looking to reshape its identity with new faces and build a roster capable of success. The UAlbany coaching staff went to the drawing board and pieced together a brand new team looking to bring a new type of intensity and competitiveness, while including influence from all corners of the world.
Chief among these, is incoming transfer Papa Kounta, who combined with returning senior Abdoulaye Fall, are set to share the court once again, bringing a connection between the two to the Great Danes that originated over 4,000 miles away in the West African Republic of Senegal.
Long before arriving in the Capital Region, Kounta and Fall grew up playing together in Senegal, even spending time together as roommates. The two developed a tight friendship and an on-court understanding that extended far beyond just standard offseason training, a factor that will come into effect with making the projected starting lineup for the Great Danes.
That existing familiarity will be crucial for a UAlbany squad looking to figure out its rotation and build team chemistry. Fall provides a steady, experienced anchor for the system, coming off a heavy workload last season where he proved to be reliable, logging 30.6 minutes per game and chipping in 9.6 points per contest. Despite this, Fall suffered numerous injuries which limited him to just nine games.
On the opposite wing, Kounta is poised to provide an immediate, explosive offensive spark following a highly productive stint at Tritton College, a JUCO. The 6-foot-6 guard proved to be a dominant two-force last year, averaging 16 points while also aggressively attacking the glass, averaging over eight rebounds per game. His ability to impact the boards from the perimeter, while scoring with will at multiple levels, gives the Great Danes exactly what they need to fill that void of a versatile threat that should instantly translate.
The transition to a physical league like the America East can often require an adjustment period for newcomers, but playing alongside a familiar academy teammate is expected to uplift Kounta’s comfort level within the offense. Since both players are projected to handle significant roles, their chemistry gives UAlbany a unique edge.
While opposing coaching staffs will attempt to scout Fall’s perimeter size and Kounta’s high-volume scoring, they will also have to deal with the difficulty of containing a connection built over years of shared development. For Great Dane fans, the Senegalese connection represents a bond that will bring a strong skillset to the court this season.
Comments