ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - French-born Joelly Belleka has dreamt of playing in the Women's AfroBasket for years, and finally, the 2025 edition presented an opportunity that she has embraced fully. Born to a Cameroonian father and a Central African Republic mother, Belleka elected to represent the country of her dad, making her debut in African basketball (club or otherwise) in Abidjan with the 2021 bronze medalists.
Cameroon got off to a dream start in their campaign for the 2025 title with a 70-63 victory over South Sudan. The guard scored 16 points, shooting 7-for-12, including two 3-pointers, in just over 29 minutes to introduce herself to the continent as one to watch.
She built on her strong performance against Mali, scoring in the double digits for the second consecutive game with 14 points, along with three rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes and 11 seconds, despite the tough 75-49 loss.
"This is my first time playing at AfroBasket, and it is a moment I cherish. I have been preparing for this moment for years, and it has been a brilliant experience," Belleka, turns 30 next month, told FIBA.basketball.
The Cameroonians are looking to get back on the podium, a feat they last achieved back home in 2021 and Belleka, who admits their side lacked the depth to handle Mali, is expected to play a crucial role as the games head to the knockout stages. Her partnership with Dulcy Fankam, a second round 21st overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm, who made her debut for the Central Africans in 2021, averaging 10.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in five games, should come in handy in their quest to do better than their sixth place finish in 2023.
The Serbia-based Fankam is making a comeback after missing the 2023 event. The duo, alongside guard Jessica Thomas, add EuroCup experience to the squad. They have a date, on Wednesday, July 30, with two-time champions Angola, who lost to hosts Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt in Group A to place last. Cameroon's work is cut out against a side they have lost to in their last six meetings, the last loss coming in a 66-54 outcome in the 2017 5-8 classification matches. Can Belleka lead the Cameroonians to a maiden victory over the back-to-back (2011, 2013) champions? Time will tell.
FIBA