Bandaogo arrives in Lleida to strengthen the painting after Diagne's injury

The Ilerna Lleida has had to quickly resolve one of the most significant losses in its roster. The serious injury of Atoumane Diagne, which will keep him out of competition for the entire season, has forced the Catalan club to activate its resources in the transfer market. The solution has arrived with the addition of Aziz Bandaogo, a 25-year-old Senegalese forward who brings international experience and a physical profile suited to the team's immediate needs.

Who is Aziz Bandaogo

Bandaogo is a pivot born in Joal Fadiout who has a distinctly collegiate career in the United States. Standing at 2.13 meters tall, the Senegalese player has attended several prestigious academic institutions before landing in the Endesa League. His NCAA career took him to compete at universities such as Akron and Utah Valley, solidifying his education at Cincinnati, where he graduated in 2025.

During his university years, Bandaogo posted impressive statistics with the Wolverines, demonstrating his ability in both offense and defense. In one game, he scored 23 points along with 13 rebounds and 7 assists, figures that reflect his versatility in the paint. On another occasion, he grabbed 17 rebounds, showcasing his dominance in rebounding, and in a third game, he registered 6 blocks, displaying his defensive and intimidating presence under the basket.

Previous professional experience

Despite his good numbers in the NCAA, Bandaogo was not selected in the 2025 Draft. However, this did not prevent him from continuing his professional development. During the last Summer League, the pivot played games with the Toronto Raptors, in addition to spending time with their affiliate, the Raptors 905, which allowed him to gain exposure to high-level professional basketball.

In the previous season, Bandaogo competed in the Turkish league with Demir Insaat Büyükcekmece, gaining experience in a well-established European competition. Furthermore, since this year he has been an international player with the Senegal national team, highlighting his potential and recognition at the continental level.

A physical profile for the Endesa League

What arrives in Lleida is an interior player of considerable physical stature, with rebounding ability and defensive intimidation under the basket. His arrival represents exactly what the team needed after Diagne's injury. While lacking prior experience in the Endesa League, Bandaogo brings with him a solid track record in competitive leagues, both in the NCAA and in the Turkish league and the North American Summer League.

In the team structure, Bandaogo will share responsibilities in the paint with Zacharie Perrin, who now becomes the other key reference in the interior game of a Lleida that has already been closely watched in the market. In fact, Baskonia has shown interest in Perrin to cover its own gaps in the area, although the player's exit clause to the EuroLeague does not activate until February, ensuring his continuity with the Catalan team at least during this first part of the season.

Impact on the sports project

The addition of Bandaogo represents a commitment to the competitive continuity of Ilerna Lleida despite the difficulties. The club has demonstrated its ability to respond to adversity, seeking a player who not only covers Diagne's absence but also brings specific characteristics for play in the paint. His defensive profile and rebounding ability are fundamental in a competition like the Endesa League, where physical dominance under the basket is decisive.

The arrival of the Senegalese also reflects Lleida's strategy of seeking players with growth potential, coming from secondary leagues but with solid training in quality competitions. His time in the NCAA and experience in Turkey provide him with an important foundation to adapt to the demands of the Spanish competition, although it will undoubtedly require an adjustment period both tactically and in terms of game pace.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bandaogo llega a Lleida para reforzar la pintura tras lesión de Diagne