Sani Sakakini

Sani Sakakini (; born August 19, 1988) is a Palestinian professional basketball player who last played for the New Taipei Kings of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL). In 2017, he ranked second all-time highest in the FIBA Asia Championship in scoring average, after the 2015 edition where he ranked first in scoring and rebounds (22.4 PPG and 12.6 RPG in 8 games).

Professional career Sakakini started playing basketball at the age of 14 in the Sarriyet Ramallah club. He came back to the league in 2015 to play one season with Orthodox and help the team win the title.

In 2011, Sakakini started in the minor NBL league with Guangzhou Free Man before playing in the main CBA league for four seasons with Qingdao Eagles, Jiangsu Monkey King and Tianjin Gold Lions. He started 115 games for 126 appearances, averaging 19.3 PPG and 12.5 RPG.

He also played a few games in 2014 and 2016 in the LBL league for Hoops Club and Champville SC. He started 17 games out of 17 appearances, averaging 18.4 PPG and 10.6 RPG.

For the 2017-2018 season, Sakakini joined the LPB league playing for the Trotamundos de Carabobo.

On August 29, 2021, Sakakini officially joined the Taichung Suns of the T1 League in Taiwan. On July 2, 2022, Sakakini was selected to the all-T1 League first team in 2021–22 season.

On October 9, 2024, Sakakini signed with the New Taipei Kings of the East Asia Super League (EASL).

On September 3, 2025, Sakakini re-signed with the New Taipei Kings of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL). On December 18, Sakakini took a plane to Jordan for recovery.

National team career Sakakini joined the Palestine national basketball team in 2006. The announcement came after his Palestinian team got two consecutive losses at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, dropping them from the tournament.

Career statistics Statistics from FIBA, SBL.

Regular season

International tournaments

Career highs Sakakini scored a season-high 48 points and 22 rebounds on 11/11/2015 in a 111-101 win of Jiangsu Monkey King over Tianjin Gold Lions.

Off the court

He is the son of George Sakakini, and elder brother of Salim Sakakini who also plays on the Palestine national basketball team.