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EuroLeague Féminine

Ornella Bankolé, a third French player at Zaragoza

Spain - Following Carla Leite and Aminata Gueye, Ornella Bankolé becomes the third French player to join Zaragoza for the 2025-2026 season. The former Flammes Carolo wing replaces her compatriot Marie Mané in the Spanish roster.
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Ornella Bankolé, a third French player at Zaragoza
Photo Credit : Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes

Ornella Bankolé (1.81 m, 27 years old) continues her career abroad. After a solid season at Charleville-Mézières, where she notably won the French Cup, the French international joins Spanish team Zaragoza. She replaces Marie Mané, whose departure was announced simultaneously.

A Third French Player at Zaragoza

Already well-stocked with French talent following the arrivals of Carla Leite and Aminata Gueye, Zaragoza adds another piece to its puzzle with the recruitment of Ornella Bankolé. Having gone through the Federal Center, then notably Lattes-Montpellier, La Roche Vendée and Bourges, the Auxerre native spent the 2024-2025 season with Flammes Carolo, where she averaged 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the championship.

A regular with the French national team since 2019 and silver medalist at EuroBasket that same year, Bankolé will experience her second stint in Spain. She briefly played for Girona in 2023 before getting injured after only two games.

In the Aragonese club’s press release, coach Carlos Cantero welcomes this arrival: « Ornella will be a player who will contribute on both ends of the floor. She’s vertical to the rim, skilled from 3-point range, and has good physical attributes for defense and rebounding. With her intensity, she will help make us a winning team. »

An Experienced Player with a Complete Skill Set

Ornella Bankolé is known for her versatility and energy. Her best individual season remains 2021-2022 with La Roche Vendée (15 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists). That year, she was named to the LFB All-Star Five.

By signing a one-year deal with Zaragoza, she joins an ambitious team that aims to play a leading role in Liga Femenina, following a playoff final last month. Bankolé will join two compatriots, Carla Leite and Aminata Gueye, both coming from Villeneuve-d’Ascq, recent EuroCup winners.

Image Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
Ornella Bankolé, a third French player at Zaragoza - BeBasket