1 Ikenna Iroegbu (NGR)
18/12/2017
Julio Chitunda's African Message
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Africa's 10 breakthrough players in 2017

SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - The year is almost over, which means we can now review Africa's breakthrough players over the course of the last twelve months.

From the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, these players - 25 years of age or younger - proved to be valuable assets to their national teams.  

Omar Abada (Tunisia)

At the age of 24, Abada continues to prove that he is the best thing that could happen to Tunisian basketball in recent years. 

Six years ago, Abada was making waves at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, and by the time former national head coach Adel Tlatli called him up for the men's team at FIBA AfroBasket 2015, the Etoile Sportive de Rades point guard grabbed the opportunity with two hands. 

A month ago, during the African Qualifiers, he finished Tunisia's first-leg of Group A without missing a single three-pointer attempt (8/8). He has scored 88.9% of his field goal attempts, 100% of this 3-point shots and 80% from the free-throw line.

Needles to say that he played a major role in helping Tunisia win the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 in September. 

Herve Kabasele (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Arguably, the revelation player at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, the 6ft10in (2.08m) power forward/center became the Democratic Republic of Congo's most efficient player with a team-high 14.8 points per game.

At 21 years of age, and a huge potential, he helped the Congolese rise from the ashes of African basketball.

In a matter of months, Kabasele moved DR Congo's New Generations to sign to Club Baloncesto Breogan in Spain's Second Tier.

Gerson Domingos (Angola)

A lefty point guard with an ability to shoot from long range, the 21-year-old emerges as a legit replacement for Armando Costa. 

Domingos (second from left) was named MVP at FIBA Africa U18 2014

The former MVP at FIBA Africa U18 Championship made his debut with the senior team at 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and he has stepped up when Angola needed him most at the FIBA Basketball 2019 African Qualifiers last month.

Mohamed Choua (Morocco)

While Abdelhakim Zouita is arguably Morocco's current best player, Choua seems to be following in his footsteps. A 6ft7in (2.01m) small forward with a tremendous athleticism and ability to play at both ends of the floor, Choua, who turns 25 on Christmas Day, has been key in the North Africans' resurgence in African basketball scene.

Sami Al Wariaci (Morocco)


Al Wariaci (first from right) was named to the 2015 FIBA Africa U16 All-Tournament team 

Al Wariaci only needed two years to prove his talent. Having led his country to a Fifth-Place at 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championship, he made his debut with senior at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers last month at the 18.

Ali Lahrichi (Morocco)

If you ever wondered how Morocco - a team that struggled for most of the past three decades - achieved a Fourth-Place at FIBA AfroBasket 2017 without Zouita, take some of your precious time and re-watch Lahrichi's leadership throughout the tournament. 

At 24, the 6ft3in (1.92m) guard represents the future of Morocco basketball.   

Boubacar Sidibe (Mali)

Along with Ibrahim Djambo, the 23-year-old Sidibe has been huge for Mali. As the Western African are currently experiencing a team rebuilding process, he has contributed his share at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, averaging his national team career-high 10.3 and 8.3 rebounds. 

Helton Ubisse (Mozambique)

At 22, Ubisse is one of the men fellow Mozambicans have high hopes in the upcoming African Qualifiers. A top rebounder who has led his country in scoring at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, the 6ft7in (2.01m) power forward represents Mozambique's stubbornness.  

Ikenna Iroegbu (Nigeria)

Iroegbu was named to the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 All-Tournament team alongside G.Dieng, M.Hadidane, M. El Mabrouk and Diogu

Ike Diogu may have been the heart of Nigeria at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, but the 22-year-old point guard Iroegbu was the soul of the team.

In his first appearance for the former African champions, he was simply phenomenal, and his 14.8 points and tournament-high five assists per game translate his impact on a team that had only a couple of weeks of preparation.  

Maurice Ndour (Senegal)

His 8.8 points per game don't do justice to his impact throughout the FIBA AfroBasket 2017, but he surely is a player Senegal will need for the African Qualifiers.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.

 

Julio Chitunda

Julio Chitunda

Julio Chitunda, a University of Sheffield alumni and former semi-professional player, has worked for a number of Portuguese media outlets as well as The Press Association and covered international basketball for over a decade. Through his column, he offers an insight into basketball on the world's second biggest continent.