10 players to watch at the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in Nigeria

LAGOS (Nigeria) - Some of Africa's biggest stars are ready to step out at the 2023 Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournaments as they look to take their chance to stay on the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With plenty of talent on show, here are 10 ballers to look out for when the games get underway in Lagos.

*All players featured are subject to availability and selection by their respective Federations for the event. Final rosters will be confirmed following the technical meetings that take place before the start of the competition.

10. Omar Abada (TUN)

A terrific ball handler and exceptional shooter, Abada is poised to be the go-to man for Tunisia in Lagos. For years, the likes of Salah Mejri, Makram Ben Romdhane, Michael Roll and Mourad El Mabrouk led Tunisia, but that role is now held by two-time AfroBasket champion (2017 and 2021), Abada, one of Africa's finest point guards.

Whether or not Tunisia can secure a place in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, only time will tell, but Abada's talent and leadership is one to watch out closely. 

9. Chimezie Metu (NGR)

Over the past few years, Metu's name became synonymous with D'Tigers leadership. The only NBA player in the Nigeria's squad, Metu hasn't missed an assignment since his national team debut at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. 

The leading scorer and rebounder four years ago and a key member of the D'Tigers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Metu is the man Nigeria has high expectations of in order to keep their 2024 Olympics dream alive. 

8. Jean Jaques Boissy (SEN)

A former promising star, Boissy has represented his country since an early age and has become one of Senegal's primary point guards From leading Senegal to the Second-Place at the 2018 FIBA U18 African Championship to featuring in the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup where he had more assists (5.6) than points (4.9) per game, Boissy means hope and future for Senegal in Lagos.

In recent times, Boissy has made the most of this opportunities in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and World Cup African Qualifiers to establish as one of Senegal's key players. A decent three-point shooter and playmaker, he completes his game with aggressive play on the defensive end.  

7. Shannon Evans (GUI)

Since Evans debuted for Guinea during the first window of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in November 2021 he made an immediate impact and hasn't stopped his leadership role within coach Zeljko Zecevic's team.

In six World Cup African Qualifiers games, Evans, who plays for Valencia in Spain's ACB League, emerged as one Africa's most prolific scorers, averaging a tournament-high 19.2 points while also dishing out 6.2 dimes per game. 

6. Brancou Badio (SEN)

In just a matter of a few years, Badio has went from being a future star - during his time with FC Barcelona youth teams - to effectively becoming Senegal's number two player after Gorgui Dieng.

Badio is often tasked with starting and finishing Senegal's offense plays although he is a solid defender.  In his last nine appearances for Senegal during the FIBA World African Qualifiers, the 1.91m (6ft 3in) point guard contributed 13.1 points (two points fewer than Dieng) while averaging a tournament-high 6.6 assists per game.

5. Evariste Shonganya (COD)

There's never been any doubts as to how impactful Shonganya can be,and this became clear during his last outing for DR Congo at the 2023 FIBA AfroCan.

The 2.01m (6ft 7in) small forward not only recorded a tournament-high 19.8 points and was deservedly named to the All-Tournament team - but he also inspired the short-handed DR Congo to a Fourth-Place finish in Luanda a month ago.

4. Aliou Diarra (MLI) 

Ever since Diarra became one of the most dominant players in the BAL Season 3 and, subsequently, was invited to feature for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2023 Summer League, social medial platforms were inundated with questions about his history with the Malian national team.

The 2.08m (6ft 9in), who has never featured for any Mali team, is blessed with a unique versatility, a characteristic that turns into a nightmare to opponents. Diarra averaged 18.9 points, led Stade Malien to the Third-Place of the last edition of the  BAL, and won the competition's  Defensive Player of the Year.

3. Robinson Opong (UGA)

Over the past few years, Opong has become one of Uganda's primary offensive options. When the 'Silverbacks' need him, Opong usually puts his three-point prowess to service. As Uganda aim to fight for a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, the 1.93m (6ft 4in) shooting guard  is expected to keep the East Africans' Olympic alive.

2. Fabien Ateba (CMR)

Cameroon may have missed out on qualification to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but the Lions won a true asset in Fabien Ateba. Ateba debuted for the Indomitable Lions during the last African Qualifiers campaign and made his three-point shooting valuable for Cameroon.

1. Yacine Toumi (TUN)

Nowadays, Toumi's name is highly associated with the future of Tunisian basketball for very good reasons. He has featured for the reigning African champions' youth teams and, at 22, he continues to live up to expectations with the senior team.

The 2.02m (6ft 7in) forward currently play college basketball for the Evansville University, and his most recent meaningful contribution to the Eagles of Carthage resulted in 7.7 points per game in three World Cup African Qualifiers games. Toumi played a huge role in helping qualifying for the Final Round of the 2023 FIBA AfroCan.

FIBA