LUANDA - MOCAMEDES (Angola) - As we gear up for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket, we will take a look at some of the best African talents expected to represent their countries.
The capital city of Luanda, Angola, and the coastal tourist city of Moçâmedes in the southern Namibe Province, are being graced by present and future stars of the African game.
FIBA.Basketball takes a look at some players who could potentially make a name for themselves at this year's AfroBasket, which takes place from August 12th to 24th.
Here are 15 players to watch in this year's AfroBasket, in no particular order.
Ousmane Ndiaye (SENEGAL)
The exciting Ndiaye showed ice veins during the AfroBasket qualifiers. The 21-year-old will play in his first AfroBasket and will need to demonstrate the same fortitude in Angola if Senegal hopes to win the title they last captured in 1997.
Ndiaye can play inside and outside and brings the physicality needed for this level of competition. His 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game are a sign of things to come for Senegal in this tournament.
Jilson Bango (ANGOLA)
Bango is one of many Angolan players based overseas. He brings experience from playing top-level basketball with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe.
Since his first major tournament, the AfroCan in 2019, Bango's performance has steadily improved. During the AfroBasket qualifiers, he averaged 14 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He provides Angola with rim protection on defense and can use his height and athleticism to score for Angola.
Jeremiah Hill (CAMEROON)
Since becoming a naturalized player for Cameroon, the American-born Hill has been a constant presence for the Indomitable Lions.
For the Lions to roar in the AfroBasket, Hill must step up his game.
He is a good scorer and facilitator, as well as a solid rebounder. His numbers during the AfroBasket Qualifiers (12 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.7 assists) are a sure indicator that he'll be a go-to guy for Cameroon.
Nuni Omot (SOUTH SUDAN)
South Sudan is undoubtedly Africa's most exciting team, and Omot is one of the players who has put the East African nation on the map.
Omot, the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) MVP, showed his star quality at the FIBA Basketball World Cup two years ago and at last year's Paris Olympics. Coach Luol Deng and the South Sudanese team will expect more of the same from Omot at the AfroBasket and in his debut tournament.
He can catch fire from three-point range or get the ball to the rim. Although he had a quiet performance in the AfroBasket qualifiers, posting 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, you can expect him to rise to the occasion when the tournament starts on Tuesday.
Bruno Fernando (ANGOLA)
The home fans will be excited to see Angola's first player to play in the NBA show out at the AfroBasket on home soil. Fernando, who now plays for Real Madrid, brings star quality to the tournament and Angola's line-up.
He last played for the country in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament in Spain, where he averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. His height and size are valuable assets for an Angolan team trying to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2013.
Jo Lual Acuil (SOUTH SUDAN)
Acuil, a multi-faceted big man from South Sudan, is another BAL MVP. He has yet to play in a major FIBA tournament for his country, but he will have the opportunity to shine on the international stage at this AfroBasket.
During the AfroBasket qualifiers, he averaged 14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He will be a scoring threat in the paint for South Sudan, and his ability to rebound creates opportunities for second-chance points.
Aliou Diarra (MALI)
Diarra, a two-time BAL Defensive Player of the Year, is a grinder for Mali.
He prides himself on ensuring that his opponents don't get easy buckets. His length, wingspan, and athleticism will be valuable assets for Mali at this AfroBasket tournament. He is also an effective scorer with the ability to post up, complete set plays, and score off loose balls at the rim.
His 13.2 points and 10.8 rebounds during the AfroBasket qualifiers are a testament to his talent.
Yves Missi (CAMEROON)
When New Orleans Pelicans player Missi announced that he would play for the Indomitable Lions, basketball fans in Cameroon must have rejoiced collectively.
His participation in the tournament will attract many traveling fans and neutrals to the Kilamba Arena. Missi will draw attention from both the stands and the court.
Coach Alfred Aboya will rely on the 21-year-old to use his height to disrupt opposing defenses. His shot blocking and scoring abilities could take Cameroon far in the tournament.
Oumar Ballo (MALI)
Malian basketball fans are excited about Ballo's inclusion in the Eagles for the AfroBasket campaign. Ballo, a big man, is fondly remembered for leading Mali to the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup final in Greece.
His presence brings star power to the tournament, and more importantly, he provides length and size in the paint for the national team.
The Malians will rely on Ballo to use his talents to lead the team to success in Angola.
Josh Okogie (NIGERIA)
Okogie is another player who is bringing hype to the tournament thanks to his NBA status. The Houston Rockets player also brings a wealth of experience to the Nigerian D'Tigers, who are hunting for their second AfroBasket title.
Okogie is well-versed in international competition, having appeared in the 2019 World Cup, the 2020 Olympics, and the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Having him on the team boosts Nigeria's ambitions for this AfroBasket.
Patrick Gardner (EGYPT)
For Egypt to succeed in the AfroBasket, Gardner will need to stay at the top of his game. Since 2023, Gardner has gained significant experience playing high-level basketball in the World Cup.
The following year, he played in the Olympic qualifiers and the Intercontinental Cup. Most recently, he played in the AfroBasket qualifiers. His numbers (15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds) in the qualifiers demonstrate his ability to contribute.
His ability to shoot three-pointers, score from the mid-range, and dunk puts defenses on notice.
Walter Tavares (CAPE VERDE)
Tavares' imposing height will always keep opposing coaches up at night.
If opposing teams decide to double- or triple-team him, his presence creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
He was part of the Cape Verde team that made it to the semifinals in 2021, averaging 16.7 points and 13.2 rebounds in the tournament.
Tavares also played a critical role in the island nation's historic qualification for the 2023 World Cup. If this is the time for Cape Verde to go for the jugular in Angola, Tavares will be key.
Matt Costello (COTE D'IVOIRE)
Costello, an American-born center, was a great find for Côte d'Ivoire ahead of the 2021 AfroBasket. He helped the West African nation reach the final in Rwanda.
His 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game were instrumental to the Elephants' success four years ago. He demonstrated his excellence again in the qualifiers for this year's tournament, scoring 15.7 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Costello could help the Ivorians go all the way this year.
Jordan Sakho (DR CONGO)
The Democratic Republic of Congo dominated in the AfroBasket Qualifiers, and Sakho was a pivotal figure in their success.
Entering his second AfroBasket, Sakho and Congo DR have set high expectations among their fans, and anything less than a top-four finish would be disappointing.
Sakho averaged 14.4 points and nine rebounds per game as Congo successfully qualified for the AfroBasket.
Brancou Badio (SENEGAL)
Badio and the Lions of Teranga are among the favorites to contend for the AfroBasket title.
If their performance in the qualifiers was any indication, a flawless campaign will be expected.
Heading into his second AfroBasket tournament, Badio showcased his versatility in the qualifiers, averaging 17.7 points, four rebounds, and five assists. He proved that he can impact the game in many ways.
Other talented players to keep an eye on include: Wenyen Gabriel, Makok Deng, and Peter Jok (South Sudan); Jordan Bayehe (Cameroon); Ivan Almeida (Cape Verde); Jean Philippe Dally (Côte d'Ivoire); Jonathan Jordan (DR Congo); Ehab Amin (Egypt); Ousmane Dramé (Guinea), Nasseim Badrush (Libya), Mathias M'Madi (Madagascar), Caleb Agada (Nigeria), William Robeyns (Rwanda), Omar Abada (Tunisia), and Robinson Opong (Uganda).
FIBA