Leonel Paulo

Leonel Paulo
Paulo with Petro de Luanda in 2022
Free agent
PositionPower forward
LeaguePortuguese Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1986-04-30) 30 April 1986
Luanda, Angola
Listed height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight114 kg (251 lb)
Career history
n/a – 2003Vila Clotilde
2004–2008Petro Atlético
2008–2011Recreativo do Libolo
2011–2012Primeiro de Agosto
2012–2022Petro de Luanda
2022–2023Sangalhos DC
Career highlights

Leonel Ditutala Paulo (born 30 April 1986) is an Angolan basketball player who last played for Sangalhos DC and formerly for the Angola national team. Standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he plays as power forward. Paulo is one of the most decorated players currently active, having won six Angolan League titles, including MVP honours in 2015.

He had his most successful stints with Petro de Luanda, where he was the club's captain and played a total of fourteen seasons, from 2004 to 2008 and 2012 to 2022. Since then, he has been a free agent. Paulo joined his first foreign club, Sangalhos DC in Portugal, signing a one-year contract in November 2022.

Paulo played for and captained Angola at various international competitions, including the team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He also won two AfroBasket championships with his country, in 2009 and 2013.