Pape Sy

Pape Sy (born April 5, 1988) is a French-Senegalese professional basketball player who currently plays for BCM Gravelines of the LNB Pro A. A versatile guard/forward, Sy was drafted by the Hawks as the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft after spending five seasons with STB Le Havre.

Biography

Pape Sy was born in Loudéac, a small town in north-western France to a Senegalese family. He learned to play basketball in a local club. Sy later moved to Massy before joining Le Havre's youth club in 2004 at the age of 16. While playing in France, Sy was recruited by the University of Wyoming men's basketball coach Fred Langley.

Sy's older sister, Penda Sy, was a professional basketball player in Europe.

Pro career

STB Le Havre (2005–2010)

Sy joined the French team STB Le Havre in 2005. In 2009–10, his last season with Le Havre, Sy averaged 5.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in just over 14 minutes per game.

Atlanta Hawks/Utah Flash (2010–2011)

Sy entered the 2010 NBA Draft as a virtually unknown entity. He paid his own way to come to the United States to showcase his talent for NBA teams. Only the Atlanta Hawks agreed to allow him to work out for them. After an impressive workout, Sy was drafted 53rd overall. Sy continued to impress in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 4.5 points per game in 8 minutes per game and exhibiting his defensive prowess. On September 15, 2010, Sy signed a three-year contract with the Hawks, with the first year guaranteed at $473,604.