N'DJAMENA (Chad) - He went from being raw, clumsy and uncoordinated to becoming a dominant force to be reckoned with. In just three years, Yaya Ngaba has reinvented his game at lightning speed, and his hard work speaks for itself.
Three years ago, Ngaba made his international debut at the 2023 FIBA U16 AfroBasket in Tunisia, helping Chad to seventh place in the ten-team tournament.
Fast forward to June 2026 and Ngaba was unrecognisable during Zone 4 qualifiers for the 2026 U18 AfroBasket tournament.
He dominated the stats charts with 24 points, 23 rebounds, four blocks and three steals per game, helping Chad secure the only ticket on offer for Zone 4 teams.
Chad got off to a slow start in the qualifying tournament, losing 68–65 to the Republic of Congo in their opening game in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
However, what happened next was an incredible display of resilience and determination to keep Chad's name on the U18 AfroBasket map.
Not only did Ngaba and Co win five games in a row, but they also secured their place in Abidjan – the venue for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket – in convincing fashion.
And Ngaba? The 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) power forward stole the limelight with his exceptional performances, achieving five double-doubles in five games.
Basketball fans should take note of his name – his basketball ambitions suggest that he is one to watch.
After all, he was named Most Valuable Player in the Zone 4 qualifiers, earning a place on the All-Tournament Team.
There is no one better than Asnal Noubaramadje, a former Chadian international player who coached his country in the U18 AfroBasket Qualifiers tournament in Malabo, to explain what Ngaba Yaya is all about.
“Yaya is a natural competitor,” Noubaramadje explained to FIBA.basketball.
The former point guard who featured for his country for almost a decade before retiring after the 2019 FIBA AfroCan, continued his assessment of Ngaba, saying: “What makes him special is not only his talent, but also the speed at which he continues to improve.”
“He came to basketball later than most prospects, but he has made up for it through hard work, discipline and determination. He brings energy to the entire team, protects the rim, controls the rebounds and plays with tremendous heart.”
“During the U18 Zone 4 Qualifiers, he was one of the driving forces behind Chad’s qualification and proved that he can perform against the best young players in Africa.”
Some regard Ngaba as one of the most promising young basketball players in Chad.
Noubaramadje described Ngaba Yaya as a modern frontcourt player who combines size, mobility and toughness.
“He is known for his dominance on the boards, defensive presence and ability to finish around the basket. His impact often goes beyond the box score, as he consistently influences games through his energy, positioning, rebounding and defensive activity. He is also an efficient scorer with strong shooting percentages from both two-point range and beyond the three-point line, making him a versatile offensive weapon.”
“What truly separates Yaya is the type of player he has become. He is an elite rebounder who controls the glass on both ends of the floor. His relentless energy makes him a high-motor player capable of maintaining intensity throughout the game.”
During the 2024-25 domestic league season, Yaya was promoted to the senior first division with Amtock City. Despite his young age, he quickly adapted to the higher level of competition and helped lead his team to the national championship final.
By the end of the season, he had earned several major individual honours, including being named League MVP, Best Rebounder, and earning a place in the All-Star Five.
In the 2025-26 season, Yaya continued his development in Gabon with Espoir Basket Club of Libreville.
FIBA