New York Liberty forward Satou Sabally will not participate in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Berlin, citing the need to prioritize her health and recovery from a concussion. Sabally announced her decision via a letter posted to her Instagram Story.
"It’s incredibly hard for me to share that I won’t be able to be part of the World Cup in Berlin," Sabally wrote. "Competing at the World Cup at home, in front of you, my family, and with this team is something I’ve worked toward for years. Right now, I have to listen to my body, put my health first and prioritize my full recovery."
The announcement comes a week after the Liberty placed Sabally on indefinite leave to recover from a concussion suffered during a late June game. While she has cleared concussion protocol, she is reportedly not yet at full strength. Liberty coach Chris DeMarco stated last week that Sabally is taking time away under the guidance of the team's performance staff to ensure her health.
This marks Sabally's second concussion in less than a year, raising concerns about her long-term well-being. She previously sustained a concussion in Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, which kept her sidelined for most of the offseason. Sabally did not participate in Unrivaled earlier this year and did not resume basketball activities until March.
The FIBA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Berlin from September 4-13. Several other Liberty players are expected to represent their respective countries, including Breanna Stewart for the U.S. team. Leonie Fiebich is anticipated to play for Germany, Raquel Carrera for Spain, and Han Xu for China. The Liberty's French contingent of Marine Johannes, Pauline Astier, and Marine Fauthoux are also in contention for their national teams.