Mutombo leads DR Congo's provisional squad for FIBA AfroBasket 2017 race
KINSHASA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Ten years on, and DR Congo's Mutombo Lukusa is set to represent his country again
KINSHASA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Ten years on, and DR Congo's Mutombo Lukusa is set to represent his country again.
Lukusa was one of the team's star players at FIBA AfroBasket 2007 in Angola.
Now, he looks to boost his country's chances at the FIBA Africa Zone 4 Group D qualifiers against the Central African Republic. They need to beat their rivals to advance to the Final Round in Congo-Brazzaville (19-30 August).
Lukusa remains a force to be reckoned with and has been called to a 20-man provisional squad.
| DR Congo 20-player preliminary roster for FIBA AfroBasket Zone 4 Qualifiers | |||
| Jericho Aluma | Kelende Biduaya | Jonicho Buzangu | King Bayombo |
| Mike Buzangu | Patrick Buzangu | Jonathan Kambala | Bobo Kasongo Kasasa |
| Herve Kabasele Kasonga | Gege Kizubanata | Emmanuel Isungu | Herities Lisimo |
| Yele Loo | Maxi Munanga | Lukusa Mutombo | Patrick Mokiango |
| Mohamed Ntumba | Christian Nyamazomi | Evariste Shonganya | Atsalia Tshimbau |
Poised to follow in the footsteps of his countryman NBA great Dikembe Mutombo, Lusuka (Docta) averaged 11 points in the DR Congo's last AfroBasket's appearance a decade ago.
He leads the group of players that includes a number of newcomers.
The regional qualifier will take place in Bangui, Central African Republic on March 19-20.
In FIBA Africa Zone 4 Group E, Chad, Gabon and Cameroon will do battle for the only place on offer for the Final Round. The qualifier will run from March 24-29.
Former Southern Indiana University graduate Mohammed Ntumba emerges among the players to watch.
He became USI's 18th player to be named to the All-American in 2011.
He is now based in Tunisia while Maxi Munanga plies his trade in Algeria.
Though, the second game of the qualifier is billed for March 20, Democratic Republic of Congo are not certain that their 2004 Basketball Without Borders campee in South Africa Mike Tumba Buzangu who makes up the list of 20 would be available.
They are however hopeful that they will give the Central Africa Republic a good fight.
FIBA