LUANDA (Angola) - The 2025 AfroBasket is in its final stretch. Host nation Angola and Cameroon have secured spots in the semifinals, as have Mali and Senegal.
While these teams have demonstrated great teamwork to reach this point in the competition, there are also standout players who have driven their teams forward.
FIBA.Basketball highlights four standout players from the remaining teams and showcases how each has driven their nation to this stage of the competition.
Aliou Diarra (MALI)
The Malian star has risen to the occasion, living up to the hype in the colors of the Eagles.
The homegrown superstar and two-time Basketball Africa League (BAL) Defensive Player of the Year has maintained his high standards at the AfroBasket tournament.
Although he had a slow start in Mali's opening Group D loss to Egypt, averaging nine points and five rebounds, he has since raised the bar, averaging a double-double in every game.
Diarra has delivered huge performances, lifting Mali when they seemed on the ropes. His performance in the quarterfinals against Côte d'Ivoire is already one of the highlights of the 2025 AfroBasket.
He shot 13-15 from the floor, finishing with 35 points, 16 rebounds, and a record 50 evaluation rating.
They overcame title contender Côte d'Ivoire, winning 102-96 in overtime.
Mali has a 3-2 record in the competition, partly thanks to Diarra's desire to do the things that have made him a star in African basketball.
His defense is unmatched. His ability to deflect shots with his outstretched arms and block shots (averaging 8.0 blocks per game) has kept Mali's hopes alive in the competition.
Diarra's ability to get to the free-throw line and make his shots (20 out of 30) makes him an asset to Alhadji Dicko's offense and Mali's hopes of winning their first AfroBasket title.
Fabien Ateba (CAMEROON)
The Cameroon captain is a quiet leader on the court. In a tournament that has been challenging for Cameroon in terms of player health, Ateba has stepped up, particularly in the 95-68 quarterfinal victory against Egypt.
He played one of his best games in a Cameroon jersey. His three-point shooting against Egypt (5/9) kept the Indomitable Lions at bay. Ateba finished the game with 26 points.
His defensive rebounding average of 3.4 allows Cameroon to start their offense.
The same was true in the playoff game against the Democratic Republic of Congo, in which he grabbed six defensive rebounds.
His tenacity on defense will always give Alfred Aboya an edge over any opponent. .
Childe Dundao (ANGOLA)
The 27-year-old floor general is a dynamo who never stops giving it his all for Angola. Dundao's energy gives the Palancas Negras life at the 2025 AfroBasket.
His 30-point performance in Angola's 90-80 win over Cape Verde sent the host nation to the last four of the AfroBasket, showing the value of Dundao.
He wasn't afraid to risk injury for the cause, driving in with reckless abandon. Angola benefited as Dundao got to the free throw line 23 times and made 18 of his attempts.
Dundao's defense has made him a mainstay; at this tournament, he has averaged three steals per game. His ability to facilitate always gives Angola an advantage, but he is not afraid to take the lead, as he did against Cape Verde.
Brancou Badio (SENEGAL)
The Lions of Teranga's team captain has done a great job rallying the team, especially after Gora Camara was injured in the group stage game against Egypt.
Point guard Badio has also flourished at this tournament.
His two 30-point performances against the top-ranked African team, South Sudan, and Nigeria in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively, are one of the reasons Senegal is in the semifinals.
In Senegal's 78-65 win over South Sudan, Badio made 10 of his 11 free-throws and was 5/12 from the three-point range.
In the 91-75 win over Nigeria that secured a spot in the semifinals, Badio was 4/4 from the free-throw line and 4/10 from the three-point arc.
FIBA