ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) -Below are the top performers from the first two days of the competition.
James Amotoe (Spintex Knights)
Game 1 vs. Stade Malien – 19 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists | 26 Eff Game 2 vs. JCA Kings – 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists | 21 Eff
If there is one player who has been consistently brilliant through the first two days of the competition, that player is James Amotoe.
Amotoe has left it all on the floor, doing a little bit of everything for his Spintex Knights.
On game day two, the combo guard poured in 30 points, the highest registered by any player thus far.
Keron DeShields (Al Ittihad)
Game 1 vs. Nadi Basket Staoueli – 17 points | 3-for-6 (3pts) | 13 Eff Game 2 vs. Nabaya Sofas – 21 points, 5 assists, 3 steals | 21 Eff
It’s hard to stand out in a team full of stars, but Keron DeShields has, for the first two games, been that for Al Ittihad.
When the team was tested by Nabaya Sofas, DeShields provided the spark beyond the stats by also being the vocal leader of the group.
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (Stade Malien)
Game 2 vs. BC Avenir du Rail – 22 points, 11 rebounds | 5-for-7 (3pts) | 28 Eff
Not often do you see a big man shoot efficiently far away from the basket. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly was efficient from 3-point range against Avenir du Rail, and interestingly, all five 3-pointers came in the third quarter.
The power forward also cleaned the glass with 11 rebounds to help Stade Malien secure a spot in the semifinals.
Junior Diabate (Nabaya Sofas)
Game 2 vs. Al Ittihad – 25 points | 5-for-9 (3pts) | 24 Eff
Al Ittihad’s defensive scheme against Nabaya Sofas focused a lot on stopping Sharif Fordham and Kyliann Rotardier.
Another player needed to step up and lead Nabaya’s fight, and that player was Junior Diabate.
The young shooting guard exploited the scheme, going 5-for-9 from behind the arc en route to scoring a game-high 25 points.
Amine Bensalah (Nadi Basket Staoueli)
Game 2 vs. Espoire Basket Club – 27 points, 10 rebounds | 8-for-13 (FG) | 30 Eff
After the opening day loss to Al Ittihad, Nadi Basket Staoueli needed nothing short of victory in their second game.
Nadi were inspired by forward Amine Bensalah, who attacked Espoir’s defence en route to a 27-point performance.
Other players with impactful performances in the first two days of the 2027 West Division Elite 16 include Samba Fall (JCA Kings), Kelvin Amayo (Stade Malien), Ivan Almeida (Al Ittihad), and Hermman Igouwe (Espoir Basket).
FIBA