KIGALI (Rwanda) - Rwanda international Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza has been around for quite some time, but his display in the last window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers last month caught fans by surprise. 

The 20-year-old, a rising star in Rwanda basketball system, not only rose to the occasion, replacing veteran Aristide Mugabe at the point guard position, but he also made his name talked internationally.,

With some eye-catching plays, Nshobozwabyosenumukiza became one of the highlights in the four-team three-day tournament that saw hosts Cote d'Ivoire clinch the last ticket available for African countries for the 32-nation FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

Even though Rwanda missed out qualification for the China 2019 showpiece, his surname left everyone wondering the meaning behind it.

Observers, commentators and social media users rated his surname as the longest in the World Cup Qualifiers campaign.

But the 1.82m (6ft) guard made sure to come forward and explain what Nshobozwabyosenumukiza really means.

"Because I am a Christian, it means I am able to do everything because of God," the Gasabo native revealed.

But how do people around Nshobozwabyosenumukiza deal with his name?

Rwanda head coach Vlad Bosnjak makes his life by calling the youngster Wilson.

"I told him that, but I also said something else. That he is a 20-year-old, so he now has about 10 years to make something so he wouldn’t be remembered for his name, but for his quality, and he has that potential. In Africa it’s hard to make it to the national team that young, and when you’re in, you are not moving anywhere. In Rwanda we are vulnerable at point guard position, so I put Wilson there as a backup. He played as a 19-year-old, he improved and we are hoping he will continue that path."

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza is seen here during a FIBA  U18 African Championship 2016

Just like Bosnjak, Nshobozwabyosenumukiza hopes to become known for his basketball talent rather than his 22-letter name, he is a man of bold goals.

 "My basketball dream is the biggest. My dream is to play in the NBA. My idol always was, and still is, Derrick Rose, because I like his layups and his dunks. But I love Kyrie Irving so much as well."

FIBA