ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Serge Darlan has become the latest player spearheading Central African Republic (CAF)'s new generation.

Since youngsters like Kurt-Curry Wegscheider, Evans Ganampamo and Allain Dokossi debuted for the former African champions men's team during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, CAF has recorded mixed results.

The new generation has contributed their part, and Darlan is eager to go the extra mile to fulfil not only his personal goals, but to also keep a family tradition moving.

The 18-year-old winger comes from a long line of basketball-playing family members starting from his granddad, his dad Jean Pascal Darlan and his Uncle Bruno Darlan, the current head coach of CAF.

An NBA Academy Africa player, Darlan is a 1.98m (6ft 6in) forward displaying a tremendous progression in recent times.

He recently featured for Petro de Luanda in the Basketball Africa League (season two) where the Angolan champions finished second.

Now, he says, it's all about helping his country.

In two games with the Fauves, Darlan has averaged 13 points and 4 rebounds as CAF maintain their hopes of advancing to the Second Round.

Asked about his objectives, Darlan does not take corners: "I want to gain experience in this competition because it will be a good thing for my career," he said. 

Basketball in the Central African Republic has not been at their best or where they expect it to be.

They have won just one of their five games in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. The 30-point defeat (78-48) at the hands of Angola was their heaviest in this campaign.

With dreams such as winning the AfroBasket, the World Cup and the Olympic Games someday in his long-term plans, Darlan is not ready to give up the fight.

Darlan is one of the few shining lights on the CAF team and he is determined to help put his country on the right pedestal.

He admits to FIBA.basketball that he only wants to give his best at all times not minding that his uncle is the national team coach.

"I don't feel any pressure playing under my uncle as the national team coach and many may think I enjoy some form of favoritism but that is farfetched. Instead, I get the heat and have no choice but I feel happy making it for my country.”

He believes despite the results in the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, the horizon looks bright. "There's hope for us to qualify because just everything is possible."

Coach Bruno Darlan speaking on Serge attributes the fast ride to the top to his early start in the game.

"Serge is my little boy and he started basketball early. At age 16, he had the opportunity of being in the company of senior players like Yannick Zachee, Max Kouguere among others. He is a player that wants to learn and he plays with his heart. Here in the national team, he is like any other player but after the game, he can be my boy again."

The Central African Republic has won two AfroBaskets (1974 and 1987) and took part in the 1974 World Cup and the 1988 Olympic Games. It's therefore not shocking for Thierry Serge Darlan to hold tight the huge challenges ahead.

FIBA