DAKAR (Senegal) - Two Windows into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers and the number of talented young guns that made their presence felt was simply mind-blowing.  

Almost two weeks ago, some of those youngster set the scene alight at Dakar Arena in Senegal, where South Sudan dominated the headlined by finishing as the only undefeated team from Groups B and D.

Here we look back, and recall how five young players impacted the eight-team event in the Senegalese capital.

ANYIARBANY 'JACKSON' MAKOI - South Sudan

GUARD

Birth date: July 3, 2000 (21 years old)
Height: 193cm / 6'4"
Club:KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (CRO)

February Stats: 13 PPG, 4.3 RBD 4.3 APG in 25.6 minutes per game.

Five months ago, Makoi made quite an impression at 2021 AfroBasket, and he starts to become vital to South Sudan. The 21-year-old, who finished with a an Efficiency rating of 28 in South Sudan's win against Cameroon, was central to South Sudan's unbeaten run in three games. His combination of speed, ball handling and vision makes him such a joy to watch. Makoi contributed 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.3 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game. For most of South Sudan's three games in Dakar, Makoi showed a tremendous tenacity on both ends of the floor. In his last showing in Dakar, the 1.93m (6ft 4in) guard made 10 of his 12 Field-Goals, he was 4-for-6 from the foul line to go with a game-high 25 points and  grabbed 7 rebounds. 

MAREG GATKUOTH  - South Sudan

GUARD

Birth date: September 10, 1999 (22 years old)
Height: 195cm / 6'5"
Club: Montana State University (USA)

February Stats: 8.7 PPG, 1 ASS in 16.1 minutes per game.

One thing that couldn't have gone unnoticed in Dakar was the way, Gatkuoth stepped up when his team needed him most against Tunisia. Back at 2021 AfroBasket, Gatkuoth finished 3-of-7 from beyond in a loss against the reigning African champions. However, in the Dakar, Gatkuoth was 4-for-5 from the 3pt line to finish with 12 points off the bench and help South Sudan cause the biggest upset in the African Qualifiers so far as they beat Tunisia 72-64.

JORDAN BAYEHE - Cameroon

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: October 16, 1999 (22 years old)
Height: 206cm / 6'9"
Club: Acqua San Bernardo Pall. Cantu (ITA)

February Stats: 12.3 PPG, 4.3 RBDS, EFF 13.3 in 20.6 minutes per game.

Bayehe is far from being an outside shooter, but what he does in the paint makes him a leader-in-the-making for this Cameroon team. Aggressive on both ends of the floor, Bayehe battled it out current AfroBasket MVP Makram Ben Romdhane showing a tremendous level of confidence.

MBAYE NDIAYE - Senegal

FORWARD

Birth date: January 4, 1999 (23 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"
Club: ADA Blois Basket 41 (FRA)

February Stats: 9.3 PPG, 5.7 RBDS, 1.7 ASS EFF 13.7 EFF in 26.4 minutes per game.

Known for his gifted athleticism, Mbaye deserved the trust of Head Coach Mamadou Gueye to start all three Senegal games, and he lived up to expectations. Fast attacking the, Mbaye delighted the audience with a variety of dunks and lay-ups. Not the most gifted mid-range shooter, but he's almost perfect in the paint.

KHALED ABDELGAWAD - Egypt

FORWARD

Birth date: February 2, 1999 (23 years old)
Height: 204cm / 6'8"
Club: Tanta Sc (EGY)

February Stats: 5.7 PPG, 6.3 RBDS, in 16 minutes per game.

Abdelgawad made the most of the opportunity of playing in such a big tournament. With Omar Oraby out of the tournament from Gameday 1, Abdelgawad contributed greatly with his rebounding, averaging 6.3 boards per game - the second highest for the Pharaohs after Anas Mahmoud. A combative player near the basket, Abdelgawad should be a regular option for Egypt.

 FIBA