The University of Oklahoma women’s basketball program has made a significant addition by signing Daffa Cissoko, a 6‑foot‑4 forward from Saint‑Maurice, Paris, France. The announcement, officially made on July 3, 2025, by head coach Jennie Baranczyk, highlights Cissoko’s exceptional length, energy, skill on the boards, and maturity gained from playing against professional competition in France’s Ligue 2 (soonersports.com).
Cissoko joins the Sooners on a financial aid agreement, marking her first season in Norman as a freshman (soonersports.com). She honed her game with Pays Voironnais Basket Club (PVBC) in France’s second division. In 2025, she played a key role in powering PVBC’s U18 squad to a flawless 10‑0 run and the Champions de France title (soonersports.com).
Her arrival also carries historical significance: she is Oklahoma’s first female player from France and the second international signee in the current cycle, following Ireland’s Emma Tolan—making this the first time the program has recruited multiple international players since the 2018–19 season (soonersports.com).
Daffa’s basketball pedigree runs deep. She is the younger sister of NBA two‑way athlete Sidy Cissoko of the Portland Trail Blazers, and her father, Yaya Cissoko, represented Senegal in men’s basketball at the 1980 Moscow Olympics (soonersports.com). That athletic lineage, paired with her European experience, gives her a strong foundation as she transitions to NCAA play.
Coach Baranczyk expressed excitement, praising Daffa’s work ethic, physical tools, and board presence—traits that should energize Sooners fans (soonersports.com).
Cissoko’s signing adds depth to an already impressive Oklahoma squad. The Sooners return key contributors such as McDonald’s All‑Americans Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst, Sahara Williams, and newcomer Aaliyah Chavez, ESPN and The Athletic preseason top‑10 selections (soonersports.com). With their potent mix of talent, international flair, and experienced coaching, the Sooners are poised for a deep run in their second season in the SEC.
Daffa Cissoko’s arrival injects excitement into Oklahoma’s lineup and marks a new chapter in the program’s international recruitment strategy.
