Takeaways from the Group Phase of the 2023 FIBA AfroCan
LUANDA (Angola) - After 12 Group Phase games played over the course of three days, there's been a bit of everything at the ongoing 2023 FIBA AfroCan in Luanda, Angola.
From a new record established on Day 1 of the tournament to a shocking result, we bring you some takeaways from the Group Phase of the tournament so far.
WAMUKOTA SETS NEW REBOUNDING RECORD
Tom Bush Wamukota
Kenya's Tom Bush Wamukota set a new record for most rebounds registered in a FIBA AfroCan game on Saturday, July 8 when he helped Kenya beat Cote d'Ivoire 62-52.
Wamukota, who was named to the 2019 AfroCan All-Star team, finished with 19 rebounds.
The previous AfroCan rebounding record belonged to Cote d'Ivoire's Aboubakar Traore who finished with 17 rebounds in an 85-83 loss to Kenya four years ago in Bamako, Mali.
SHONGANYA IS ON SCORING CLINIC
Evariste Shonganya
Evariste Shonganya has been the heart-and-soul for reigning champions DR Congo, who advanced to the Quarter-Finals undefeated in two games.
Over the first two games of the 2023 AfroCan, the 2.00m (6ft 7in) forward averaged a tournament-high of 22.5 points per game, four more points than his teammate Rolly Fula who appears in second place of the top scorers.
Besides his scoring prowess, Shonganya finished the Group Phase as the only player to have registered two double-doubles in two games.
He has also registered the highest efficiency rate (35) before the knock out stages of the 2023 AfroCan.
UNDEFEATED TEAMS SO FAR
Three teams closed their Group Phase campaigns without tasting a defeat.
DR Congo, Angola and Tunisia, all won their two games, and, as a result, qualified directly to the Quarter-Finals. Those three teams will enjoy two rest days and won't return to action until Thursday, July 13.
On the other hand, Mali, Rwanda and Cameroon are yet to win a game although the three teams can still advance to the elimination round if they succeed in Wednesday's Classification Round to the Quarter-Finals.
GABON SHOCK KENYA
Against the odds, Gabon recorded the biggest upset in the tournament so far after beating Kenya 66-63, leaving the three Group A teams tied with a 1-1 record apiece although Kenya finished top of the pool thanks to a better point-differential.
EFFICIENT TUNISIA
Jawhar Jawadi holds Tunisia's highest efficiency rate per game (18.0)
If Group Phase's results are anything to go by, then Tunisia are playing at highest level.
The Tunisians currently register the highest field-goal percentage (52.6) amongst the twelve teams. DR Congo comes second with a 44.9 field-goal percentage while Gabon and Angola register 40 percent each.
CAN YOU SCORE AGAINST ANGOLA OR GABON?
Emanuel Sebastiao (Angola)
Both Angola and Gabon closed their Group Phase campaigns with the highest average of block shots per game.
The figures raises a question. Can you score against Angola or Gabon?
The two teams teams average 3.5 blocks per game, and Angola have allowed the fewest points in game so far after beating Nigeria 57-48.
There are another 16 AfroCan games left until the winner of the 2023 edition of the tournament, which is reserved for Africa-based players, is found out on July 16.
Stay tuned. We'll bring you the latest stories of the 12-nation tournament.
FIBA