LEEDS (Julio Chitunda's Basketball in Africa) - Now that the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers are over, it's time to detail how five players contributed enormously throughout the qualification round, but whom we haven't been heard of much. 

These five unsung heroes have played at least eight of their teams' 12 African Qualifiers games.

Who are they, and how did they help Angola, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, and South Sudan qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup to the held in Indonesia, Japan and Philippines? 

Maxence Dadiet (Cote d'Ivoire)

Games played: 9/12
Stats: 12.1 points, 3.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds
Position: Guard
DOB: March 2, 1999 (24)
Height: 1.92m (6ft 3in)

Dadiet may have sat out the last three games of the African Qualifiers last February, but his game-winning tip-in against Angola on November 26, 2021, paved the way for what would be a historic campaign for the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire. 

And here's why and how Dadiet's game-winning earned him a national hero's accolade.

Angola looked poised to extend their three-decade long home unbeaten run , while Cote d’Ivoire were on the verge of starting their campaign with a loss. However, Dadiet came out of nowhere to write a new chapter in African basketball history.

With Angola leading 56-55 and less than six seconds remaining, Cote d’Ivoire's guard Stephane Konate's three-pointer attempt ricochetted the rim before an unguarded Dadiet scored an easy tip-in that shocked the hosts. 

That historic win triggered Cote d'Ivoire's second straight World Cup qualification. 

Bul Kuol (South Sudan)

Games played: 8/12
Stats: 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds 11.8 Efficiency
Position: Guard
DOB: January 10, 1997 (26)
Height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)

South Sudan is a team with endless options at both ends of the floor, and adding Bul Kuol right at the start of the African Qualifiers, in July 2022, turned out a massive win for the newest African country. 

A quick shooting guard with a decent ball handling,  Kuol entered the team's rotation with the specific task of shooting the ball from beyond the arc, and he delivered what was expected from him.

Over the course of his eight African Qualifiers games, Kuol attempted more three-pointers (21-for-50) than twos (9-for-12). 

In his debut with South Sudan, Kuol was 5-for-12 from beyond the arc to finish with 16 points. 

Kuol seems to like to big the stage, and this became clear when he finished  with a 4-for-7 shooting to go  with 12 points in the 83-75 win over Senegal that confirmed South Sudan's qualification to the World Cup. 

Williams Tavares (Cape Verde)

Games played: 8/12 *game against Mali not included.
Stats: 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 10.3 Efficiency
Position: Small Forward
DOB: July 18, 1995 (27)
Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in)

In a 24-month span, Williams Tavares went from averaging just four points in two 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers games to contributing 10.6 points in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. 

One of the two Cape Verde players - alongside Ivan Almeida - to score in double digits in eight games or more, Williams Tavares turned out a pleasant addition to coach Emanuel Trovoada's team.

Tavares fitted in the team's rotation like a glove. He recorded the team's second highest field-goal 26-for-51 (51 percent), after Walter Tavares. 

"We have the talent, I just hope young players - Williams Tavares is an example - can help us when we need them most. We want to make history by qualifying this group of hardworking players to the World Cup. We have faith," Trovoada was quoted as saying midway the qualifiers. 

Jilson Bango (Angola)

Games played: 9/12
Stats: 9.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 14 Efficiency 
Position: Power Forward/Center
DOB: January 6, 1999 (24)
Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in)

Jilson Bango sat out the last window of the African Qualifiers due to health issues, but his contribution early in the competition proved  vital for Angola.

A dominant force in the paint, Bango contributed team-highs of 8.1 rebounds while recording Angola's highest field-goal (59.4 percent).   

If he stays healthy, Bango should be a huge option for Angola at the World Cup.

Anas Mahmoud (Egypt)

Games played: 10/12
Stats: 9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 11.8 Efficiency 
Position: Center
DOB: May 5, 1995 (27)
Height: 2.15m (7ft)

A seven-footer with a ball-handling to make others envy, Mahmoud was part of Egypt's core - alongside Ehab Amin and Assem Marei. 

And, none better than Egypt head coach Roy Rana to tell how much Mahmoud contributed to the team: "He is very unique, not just for Egypt, but for basketball. A seven-footer who can handle the ball, he can pass, he can attack the rim from the perimeter, and defensively he's able to change shots; in the rim he is able to rebound, he is a very exciting young prospect and we are just happy that he is Egyptian and is with us because he has huge impact on our team," Rana acknowledged. 

Julio Chitunda
FIBA

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