How Dallas Wings' Satou Sabally Is Paving the Way in Hoops, Fashion and Philanthropy

Satou Sabally is having a heck of a year, and it's only just beginning. Recently named the WNBA's Most Improved Player of the Year by the Associated Press, the Dallas Wings superstar has taken things to a new level this season, averaging 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals amongst other accomplishments—such as scoring a career-high 40 points to help the Wings officially secure a playoff spot and being named to the All-WNBA Second Team as well. Sabally, however, is much more than just a dominant athlete that hasn't even officially reached the prime of her career yet. The 25-year-old is also a budding philanthropist who just opened The Satou Sabally Court in her home city of Berlin; she's a young woman dedicated to doing her part in reforming social justice; and she's a fashionista who worked with  Jordan Brand to create her own custom Air Jordan 37 PE (Player’s Edition) shoe in 2022.

Ahead of the WNBA play-offs kicking off and the Wings beginning their quest to a championship tonight, we caught up with Sabally to chat more about her initiatives.

RELATED: WNBA Champion A'ja Wilson Talks About the W's Biggest All-Star Weekend Yet

We decided to start the convo off with The Satou Sabally Court, which is something very dear to her heart. "The court is beautiful," she tells ONE37pm before describing what the creation process was like. Sabally and Jordan Brand worked together with a local artist to refurbish, redesign, and reveal a local basketball court in Berlin made with a material consisting of recycled sneakers. "It's for little girls, because we all know how it's like when you see a bunch of guys on the court, and you may be intimidated to ask them to play, or they won't let you. It's in a great location (Berlin) filled with wonderful kids and people. It makes me so happy!"

Along the lines of design, I next asked Sabally about her custom sneaker, the Air Jordan 37 PE, and what it meant to create a shoe. Her shoe.

"That day was really cool and the shoe's design reminds me of Berlin," she recalls before adding: "It reminds me of the graffiti there and it stands out. I'm really thankful and blessed, and I actually had somebody ask me recently to sign one of theirs! I was overseas in Turkey and a lady handed me a box. I couldn't believe it! It looked so beautiful!" Fashion is something that means a lot to Sabally. In fact, her tunnel fashion has become one more thing to look forward to on game days. A quick scroll through her Instagram will show you all the different outfit combinations she's put together just over the course of this season, and we're sure there's more on the way in that regard.

"For me, fashion means comfort," she explains. "I'm a chill person, so sometimes you'll see me in a tank top, other times you'll see me in a dress rocking it out."

"It's been really fun hiring a stylist, and blending together African-American and German fusion. I really like the looks Chloe Bailey has been creating lately. I would say timeless pieces are the things that I have really been working with my stylist on. You know a little bit feminine mixed with a little bit of masculine." And according to Sabally, the fits are going to be "even more fire" for the post-season.

Social justice work is also a major focus for the Wings' forward. Sabally spearheaded a Jordan-sponsored Take Flight Festival event in Berlin last summer that was held to connect grassroots female basketball players and create safer access to sports, especially for girls and women from the BIPOC and FLINTA communities, and that's just one element of what she's been working on. "It's important to treat others right, and use your social platforms to make a difference. The main thing is that people truly pay attention to your word. For example, when I made my post supporting trans kids, I had a lot of people reaching out to me to thank me. It's really important to use your platform."

We ended our conversation with me asking Sabally where she sees herself five years from now—both personally and professionally—and what somebody should check out when they visit Berlin for the first time. "Hopefully I've got some championship rings on my finger. In fact I want rings on my finger in every aspect!" she told me before adding: "I would definitely suggest Habibi at Winterfeld Platz. About five minutes from there is mural so go check that out. Then go hoop at The Satou Sabally Court at Tempelhofer Feld. And then after that, go get dressed for a nice dinner/park evening in Prenzlauerberg!"

Sounds good, we'll definitely do that when we hit up Berlin.

You can continue to keep up with Sabally via Instagram.

RELATED: Chiney Ogwumike Talks Style and Upcoming adidas Projects