Can Rwanda's Kendall Gray make his childhood World Cup dream a reality?

DAKAR (Senegal) - Kendall Gray has been a major addition to Rwanda's line-up, and he's first to admit that his adopted country deserves the best he can give.

Rwanda opened their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers in Dakar with defeats against Cameroon and South Sudan, but the 2.09m (6ft 10in) forward, who hails from California, insists that his childhood dream of playing in the World Cup remains intact.

"It's a big dream for everybody, especially me. Being able to come to Rwanda, a country that embraces me, it gave me the opportunity, I put my best foot forward whenever I step on the court," said Gray.

Over the first two games in Dakar, the 29-year-old center brought in his A-game on a number of situations, blocking shots, scoring in the paint, and playing physical tirelessly. 

Gray registered Rwanda's highest efficiency rate (13) in the first two games while contributing 10 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game. 

"I play my hardest, and I kind of live with the results," Gray emphasised.

Rwanda have a lot of work to do to secure one of Group B's three tickets for the Second of the African Qualifiers, especially as South Sudan, Cameroon and Tunisia seem to be in control of their African Qualifiers destiny. 

"We’ve just got to go play by play; stop by stop, and help our efficiency offensively and defensively," Gray pointed out.

Gray, who last played for Tunisian side JS Kairouan went saying: "[Playing in the World] It's a dream of mine," Gray explained. "I have always watched as a kid, and being in this atmosphere [African Qualifiers for the World Cup]… I love the country of Rwanda, I love the city of Kigali, I love my teammates, my trainer staff, I love coaching staff. Everything about this atmosphere motivates me to play better."

FIBA