ORLANDO (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Bismack Biyombo is yet to play for his native Democratic Republic of Congo national team on a big stage, but the wait may be over as he's committed to the relaunching of the team for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 to take place in the neighbouring Republic of Congo. 

The Congolese will need to play a qualifier for the 16-team FIBA Africa's flagship tournament, and if they are successful, that's where Biyombo's involvement is expected to be more impactful.

Biyombo made his introduction to the world at the Nike Hoops Summit in 2011, becoming the first player to register a triple-double - Photo courtesy of usab.com  

As one of the two DR Congo players in the current NBA season - alongside Emmanuel Mudiay - Biyombo's presence on a team that has continuously missed qualification for AfroBasket since 2007 when they finished in 15th-Place in neighbouring Angola - would be a major boost. Be it on or off the court.

At the time, not even the likes of future stars Cristian Eyenga as well as Docta Mutombo Lukusa and Celu Lifetu-Selengue helped the Congolese make the noise they like to believe they are capable of making on the African basketball. 

Now, Biyombo tells FIBA.com, it's time about to building a competitive team and enter the qualifiers early next year.

"I am excited [about FIBA AfroBasket 2017]. I might not play next year, but I’ll be there to support the team that we are putting together," said the Orlando Magic power forward.  

"I look forward to that, it’s something that we have been working on. We are looking at a lot of players very closely just to see how we can get this done."

Whenever the qualifiers take place, the DR Congo will have to compete against FIBA Africa Zone 4 national teams, which includes Cameron, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Chad and Equatorial Guinea.

As one of the members of the team responsible for building the national team, Biyombo says "We know they are gonna to qualify. Once they qualify, then I’ll play the next one. I am excited."

FIBA