No one can deny the competition the New York Liberty brings to the WNBA. Year after year, they remain a top contender, and their recent championship run is proof. While stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart often grab headlines, bench players like Nyara Sabally have been just as impactful. Nyara’s double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds against the LA Sparks speaks for her.

You might be thinking, what’s so big about that? Well, while those numbers are common for starters, Nyara puts them up coming off the bench. And it’s not just that. Even in the toughest games, she makes her presence felt. Remember her performance in Game 5 of the Finals against the Lynx? She tallied 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a key steal in just 15 minutes of gameplay.

So, it makes sense why even Breanna Stewart called her the “X-factor” of the win. But for Nyara, it’s not about the spotlight—it’s about excellence. And that’s exactly what she brings, no matter the stage.

Where is Nyara Sabally from? What’s her nationality?

While many know Nyara Sabally as a forward for the New York Liberty, not everyone realizes she’s not American. She’s a proud German professional basketball player born and raised in Berlin. Unlike others at W, her athletic journey began at the prestigious sports academy, Schule-und Leistungssportzentrum Berlin (SLZB). For those unaware, it’s one of the top basketball institutions in Berlin.

But it wasn’t just elite training that shaped her path, it was also the influence of her older sister, Satou Sabally, a WNBA star in her own right. Though their basketball journeys took different routes, their careers often intersected in meaningful ways. Both sisters played college ball at Oregon, although injuries kept Nyara from sharing the court with Satou during her early seasons.

And while they aren’t currently teammates in the WNBA, they recently reunited on a much bigger stage: the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, representing Germany side-by-side and proudly embracing their heritage. Still, despite growing up in the same household, their interests and personalities differ. While basketball connects them deeply, their individuality continues to shine both on and off the court, making the Sabally sisters one of the most compelling duos in international hoops.

What is Nyara Sabally’s ethnicity and religion?

The Sabally sisters come from a diverse heritage. Nyara’s father, Jerreh Sabally, hails from The Gambia in West Africa, while her mother, Heike Krone, is German. And, this makes her of mixed Gambian and German ethnicity, a cultural blend that has clearly shaped her both as a person and a player.

But, unlike her older sister Satou, who has openly embraced Islam, Nyara has kept her spiritual beliefs private, choosing not to publicly share her religious views. Still, if there’s one thing that undeniably holds a sacred place in Nyara’s life, it’s basketball. And that reflects in her every action.

Remember when she was sidelined by injury in 2022 and unable to play? She didn’t stray from the game. Instead, she joined Sacramento State as an assistant coach, and what a season it turned out to be. With Nyara on the sidelines, the Hornets went 25–8, clinched the Big Sky regular season title, won the conference tournament, and made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament. But, of course, this path to excellence hasn’t been smooth.

Which college did Nyara Sabally attend?

Sabally’s higher education and basketball dreams took a real form at the University of Oregon. It’s where she played for the Oregon Ducks from 2018 to 2022. Though her journey wasn’t without setbacks, as torn ACLs kept her off the court for her first two seasons. But when she finally returned in 2020, she didn’t just play, she made a statement. Over the next two seasons, Sabally averaged an impressive 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, earning All-Pac-12 honors twice and proving she was every bit the force people believed she could be.

And her resilience paid off when she was selected fifth overall by the New York Liberty in the 2022 WNBA Draft. But once again, adversity came knocking as Sabally missed her entire rookie season due to injury. Still, if there’s one thing her journey has shown, it’s that she always comes back stronger.

Then, in 2023, she finally made her WNBA debut, appearing in 33 games and contributing 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game with a solid 42.4% shooting rate—an important first step in a league where proving yourself doesn’t come easy.

And this isn’t all. Last year, she even proudly represented Germany at the Paris Olympics, a historic moment for the national team as it marked the first time the country’s women’s squad qualified for the Summer Games. Sharing the court with her older sister Satou, Nyara called the experience “surreal,” especially as the team embraced their underdog status and soaked in every second of the opportunity.