Biography of Yakuba Ouattara
Mr Title! Because this isn’t Yak’s first rodeo. With three French championship titles won with two different teams, his trophy cabinet is already well stocked…
Born on 24 January 1992 in Ghana, Ouattara made a name for himself in Chalon, a basketball town par excellence. Arriving from Basket Croix Rousse Olympique Lyon, Yak improved his statistics year after year in the youth leagues, until the 2013 play-offs. With an average of 24 points, he led his team to the French youth championship title, along with the Trophée du Futur. And it was with an MVP title in each of these competitions that the Lyon native signed his first professional contract for the 2013-2014 Pro A season.
An encouraging first experience at Élan Chalon was followed by a strong confirmation the following year in Pro B at Denain. All this was punctuated by two victories in the dunk contest at the LNB All-Star Game. These performances caught the attention of an ambitious newcomer: Monaco! He quickly established himself in the Roca Team’s starting five. And as his first play-offs in the top flight approached, Yakuba Ouattara found himself on Vincent Collet’s list on 19 May 2016.
After a second season on the Rock, Yak realised his American dream by signing a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. However, his NBA ambitions were dashed by an injury that forced him to play exclusively in the G-League for the Long Island Nets. Twelve games later, the guard returned to Monaco, where he shone for the first time on the European stage. From the Basketball Champions League to the EuroCup and the championship, Yakuba Ouattara shone, even becoming captain.
In the Principality, he enjoyed some of the greatest moments of his career: EuroLeague Final Four, winner of the Leaders Cup and the French Cup, back-to-back Betclic Elite titles, all punctuated by a place in Vincent Collet’s 12-man squad for the 2023 World Cup.
But in the summer of 2024, the man with 29 caps for the French national team was looking for a new challenge. That challenge would be Paris Basketball. Under Brazilian coach Tiago Splitter, the former Monegasque player shone. And above all, he triumphed again with a historic Cup-Championship double for the capital club.
This was no fluke for Mr Title, who hopes to continue his quest in the new 2025-2026 season.
What role will Yakuba Ouattara play for Paris Basketball in the 2025-2026 season
On the court, his versatility speaks for itself. Able to switch between the 2 and 3 positions, Yakuba Ouattara will be a valuable option in the rotation. And with the departures of TJ Shorts, Mickael Jantunen, Tyson Ward and Collin Malcolm, Yakuba Ouattara’s experience will inevitably be an asset in the dressing room. A leader! That’s the role our shooting guard will have to take on throughout the season.
Player’s style of play in 3 words
TITLE ELITE DEFENDER TOMAR
