ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The ELITE 8 of the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019 provided some thrilling games, a number of eye-catching displays and now that the FINAL FOUR participants have been decided, FIBA.basketball shows how five players set themselves apart.

In no particular order, here're the top five performers from the ELITE 8 (Quarter-Finals) of Africa's top clubs competition.

Maodo Malick Nguirane (JS Kairouan)

JS Kairouan's incredible and unexpected success can't be dissociate from Malick Nguirane's high-level performances throughout the entire campaign.

The Senegalese's displays in the Last Eight against Etoile Sportive Rades was something else, and a photo of Nguirane's being carried on fans's shoulders sums up his importance to the Kairouan-based club.

The 2.10m (6ft92in) power-forward-center, not only contributed an averaged of 18.4 points  and 11 rebounds in the two-game series against Tunisian champions Etoile Sportive Rades, but he became a real leader of a team that began the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019 campaign as outsiders, but head to the Last Four as potential winners.

Wayne Arnold (AS Sale)

 The man who guided Egypt champions Al Ahly to the African title in 2016 joined Morocco champions Association Sportive Sale, and the move starts to pay off.

The 2016 Africa Champions Cup MVP had been relatively quite earlier in the tournament, however, when the reigning African champions needed him most, he delivered an average of 15.5 points in the Elite 8, propelling his team to the FINAL FOUR.    

James Justice Jr (Smouah SC)

The left-handed point guard has done a bit of everything for Smouah Sporting Club. He not only powered the Egyptians' offense with some scintillant plays, but he turned out as his teams' inspirational leader, contributing 20.5 points and 8.5 assists to deny Egypt champions Al Ahly in the ELITE 8.

Manny Quezada (Primeiro D'Agosto)

Four years ago, Quezada lifted Petro Atletico de Luanda to the FIBA Africa Champions Cup title. So far, he has done a lot to enter the 2019 MVP conversation. 

D'Agosto convincingly dispatched Petro Atletico 144-114  in the ELITE 8, and the Dominican Republic international left his mark with a valuable 23.5 points and 6.5 assists in two games.

Todd O'Brien (Al Ahly)

Al Ahly may be out of the FINAL FOUR, but O'Brien was a delight to watch. The 2.11m (6ft93in) tried his very best energising the former African champions at both ends of the floor, but it wasn't meant to be.

Five double-doubles in as many games, an average of 21.5 points and 15.5 rebounds in the ELITE 8, yet Al Ahly fell short to Smouha SC. 

FIBA