This article is in partnership with WNBL.
Having played in the American College system, the WNBA, France and Turkey, Kadiatou Sissoko (aka Kadi Sissoko) has had a diverse career journey up until now, and she’s only 27! Her latest move? Getting signed to the UC Capitals for the 2025-26 WNBL season, which kicked off in October last year.
Joining the University of Canberra Capitals, more widely known as the Canberra Capitals, was not only a great opportunity for the French player to launch a new chapter of her career in Australia, but also a big score for the team itself – marking their first import signing. “We’re excited to be adding French international, Kadi Sissoko, to our 2025/26 WNBL roster,” the team announced in June 2025.
UC Capitals Head Coach, Paul Goriss has previously described the former Phoenix Mercury draft as a “unicorn”, commending her “versatility” and athleticism on the court.
“(She) has great versatility at both ends of the floor, can defend multiple positions, score in transition, get the ball on the floor, shoot the three and she can post up smaller defenders,” he said, as per WNBL, in July last year.
He added: “Her athleticism is going to be a huge point of difference at both ends of the floor, and how hard she plays. And I just think that what she wants to achieve and still the upside to her game is massive and it’s going to be huge for us.”
Kadiatou’s impressive play comes after plenty of experience on college teams. After playing for the South Basket Landes in 2017, she played in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) from 2018 to 2023, during which she played for Syracuse, Minnesota and finally USC. Her performance caught the eyes of WNBA scouts, and as reported by WNBL online, she was eventually “drafted 29th overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft, joining the Phoenix Mercury”, going on to play 40 games.
In June last year, Kadi spoke about her excitement at the prospect of playing professional basketball on the other side of the world for the Canberra Capitals.
“I’ve never been afraid to step out of my comfort zone and experience basketball in different countries, and I know that the WNBL is very competitive, and I think it will be good for my development as a player,” she said.
“Fans can expect to see an aggressive player on both ends of the court. I’m a versatile player who can guard multiple positions. I love to get out in transition and finish at the basket, but I can also step out on the perimeter and hit a jumpshot.”
The final game for this season for the Canberra Capitals will be against Geelong Venom (Round 17) on Saturday, February 7, at AIS Arena. We’re just as excited as everyone else to see Kadi do what she does best on the court!
Photo: WNBL Official Website with additional design by Missing Perspectives