KIGALI (AfroBasket) - Rwanda's men's national team is entering its final phase of preparations before the 2013 AfroBasket with the inclusion of foreign-based and professional players.

Last week, head coach Moise Mutokambali announced a 21-player preliminary squad to take part in a training camp in Rwanda's capital of Kigali on Monday 22 July with players coming from as far as Thailand, Morocco, Uganda, Angola, Canada and USA.

Despite a second-place finish in the Africa zone 5 qualifier tournament in January, Rwanda will participate in the FIBA Africa's flagship tournament for the fourth consecutive time, following a wildcard invitation.

Among coach Mutokambali's choices is sharpshooter Kenneth Gasana, who led Rwanda to their best result - a ninth-place finish at the 2009 AfroBasket.

Gasana led the team in scoring in the past two editions of AfroBasket and is expected to line up alongside point guard Cedric Isom, who was the MVP of the Angolan national league this past season.

If shortlisted, both Hamza Ruhezamihigo and Aboubakar Barame will become the only two players who have featured in all four editions of the tournament.

Rwanda has been drawn in Group B along African defending champions Tunisia, Morocco and Burkina Faso.

The tournament will take place in Ivory Coast's capital city of Abidjan, from 20 to 31 August, and is a qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World cup in Spain.

Only the teams that finish in top three of the African tournament qualify for next year's world event.

Coach Mutokambali acknowledged the hard task ahead, but insisted Rwanda will do well in the Abidjan.

"I know AfroBasket final is not an easy championship but I have confidence in the selected team to make a positive impact which will see us improve on the overall rankings, at least be able to finish inside the top 10," he said.

Among the 16 teams taking part in the tournament, Rwanda ranks 67th in the FIBA Ranking Men, only above the duo of Algeria and Burkina Faso.

Rwanda preliminary squad for AfroBasket: Aboubakar Barame, Cameroun Bradley, Darius Brannon, Kenneth Gasana, Jean Luc Girinshuti, Ali Kubwimana, Lionnel Hakizimana, Pascal Karekezi, Arstide Mugabe, Olivier Muhizi, Olivier Shyaka, Placide Uwizeye, Cedrick Isom, Kami Kabangu, Dan Manzi, Adonis Rwabigwi, Sunny Muyandamutsa, Muhamed Rafiki, Daniel Primo Rugamba, Hamza Ruhezamihigo and Patrice Twagirayezu.

FIBA