Expect something big says Nshobozwabyosenumukiza about Rwanda

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - The 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers won't resume until November, but Rwanda guard Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza can't wait to carry his country's flag in the race to the next African Championship. 

Rwanda will play Gabon, Senegal and Cameroon in Group C with the teams that finish in the top three places qualifying for the next FIBA Africa flagship tournament to be held in Angola.

"When the time comes," Nshobozwabyosenumukiza said, "We’ll be ready to fight for our spot in the African Championship."

The landlocked African country have featured at all but the 2015 edition African Championship since 2009, and, according to Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, many lessons have been taken from those experiences they will make sure to implement them in  November. 

 "With the experience that some our guys are getting from competitions like the Basketball Africa League and all these national competitions, people should expect something big from us." 

When asked to elaborate on his optimism, Nshobozwabyosenumukiza says that facts are facts and advises everyone to rewatch Rwanda's 2023 FIBA AfroCan campaign for more specific answers.  

Rwanda may have faced ups and downs in the Angolan capital, but beating the home team 73-63 in the Group Phase before clinching a bronze medal in the 2023 AfroCan was what Nshobozwabyosenumukiza calls the result of years of hard work.

"[Over the years] We've learnt what we and other teams are capable of. Any team can beat any other team. Competing in African basketball competitions has become a real battle. There are no easy games." Nshobozwabyosenumukiza pointed out. 

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza acknowledged that there is still room for improvement: "We have everything we need to play against any team in Africa. We just need to work on our defense."

Although Nshobozwabyosenumukiza has become the face of Rwandan basketball in recent years, he keeps his feet on the ground. 

And, if selected for the AfroBasket Qualifiers, he says: "I’ll bring something big as you all saw in the AfroCan." 

He averaged 12. 5 points and 2.3 assist during the AfroCan,  but it was his 22 points in the 73-63 win over Angola that Nshobozwabyosenumukiza utilises as an example of his contribution to the team.

"I can wait to apply all my years of experience to my national team service . I can score, I can play defense," the 25-year-old guard explained. 

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza has come a long way to be in the position he currently occupies in Rwandan basketball.

From helping his country to a fifth-place finish at the 2016 FIBA U18 African Championship to becoming a household name in African basketball, Nshobozwabyosenumukiza says he still has a lot to offer.

"Since my time with time with the Rwandan youth teams, I have been working really hard to keep helping my country stay among the best on the continent."

"It hasn’t been an easy ride, but when we have a chance to qualify for a major championship there is a sense of fulfilment. There is nothing like representing your country," Nshobozwabyosenumukiza observed. 

Anyone following the growth of the game on the continent can easily attest that Rwanda has become a hub of basketball.

"It’s great having an arena like the BK Arena. It helps the growth of the game in our country," Nshobozwabyosenumukiza noted.

"As players we keep put in work too. The sort of investment can lift us as a whole. Basketball in Rwanda is in another level now, and we hope to it keep rising."

How can people get involved in basketball in Rwanda?

"3x3, camps, schools.  These are the primary stops to get involved in basketball in Rwanda," Nshobozwabyosenumukiza revealed, adding: "Young kids look up to us as references. Young boys and girls are ready to play… There’s a huge excitement about the game in our country and that’s great to see."

FIBA