DAKAR (Senegal) - Dozens of players responded to their countries' calls to compete for a chance to qualify for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket.
Among those picked to showcase their talent at Dakar Arena (November 22-24), ten have shown in recent times how impactful they can be.
And, here's a look at the ten players to watch out for in Window 2 of the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers.
Brancou Badio
DOB: February 17, 1999 Height: 1.91m (6'3") Position: Point Guard Nationality: Senegalese
A creative playmaker with a unique shooting ability and game reading, the Valencia Basket star has been the heart-and-soul of the Senegalese team.
In his debut with Senegal's senior team at 2021 AfroBasket, Badio finished as the team's leading scorer behind Gorgui Dieng, with averages of 16 points per game. Senegal finished third in the Rwandan capital.
More recently, Badio led Senegal in scoring and assists with 13 points and 7 per game during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
During the 2023 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Nigeria, Badio recorded time-highs of 17 points and 6 assists per game although Senegal fell to Cameroon in the Final.
Aliou Diarra (MALI)
DOB: December 31, 2001 Height: 2.08m (6'10") Position: Center Nationality: Malian
Aliou Diarra won the hearts of his fellow Malians after inspiring local side Stade Malien to a third-place finish in the 2023 Basketball African League (BAL) season.
In the process, Diarra, who made his senior team's debut in the 2023 FIBA AfroCan, won the BAL Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player of the year.
Diarra's mobility and shooting efficiency near the rim makes him one of a kind, but, more than a scorer, Diarra is a terrific defender.
Kevin Franceschi (MOROCCO)
DOB: October 5, 1993 Height: 1.90m (6'2") Position: Point Guard Nationality: Morocco
Relatively unknown to basketball fans outside of Morocco and France - until recently - Franceschi grabbed the headlines in the African basketball scene by leading Morocco to the 2023 FIBA AfroCan title.
A decent three-point shooter, Franceschi took home MVP honours of the quadrennial event last held in Luanda, Angola.
Rolly Fula (DR Congo)
DOB: February 2, 1993 Height: 2.00m (6'7") Position: Shooting Guard Nationality: Congolese
Don't let Rolly Fula open! That's the thought that comes to mind when the sharpshooter's name is in defenders' lips.
A two-time BAL participant, the former Bangui Sporting Club, Fula made quite an impact in Season 4 of the recently-launched Pan-African league, averaging 20 points per game.
Jeremiah Hill (CAMEROON)
DOB: September 4, 1995 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Position: Point Guard Nationality: Cameroonian
Cameroon has had some terrific playmakers over the years, but the arrival of American-Cameroonian Jeremiah Hill two years ago has added another dimension to the Central Africans' game.
A guard that can make a difference on both ends of the floor, Hill powered Cameroon to the 2023 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nigeria, a success that saw Cameroon return to the OQT for the first time since 2008.
In the Latvian capital Riga, Hill and Co stunned Brazil 77-74 with the 29-year-old guard finishing with 22 points and 6 assists.
Nuni Omot (SOUTH SUDAN)
DOB: October 3, 1994 Height: 2.06m (6'9") Position: Small Forward Nationality: South Sudanese
One of the most familiar faces of South Sudan's basketball in recent times, Nuni Omot not only led Al Ahly SC to the 2023 BAL title, but he also scooped the MVP award.
At national team level, Omot has contributed his fair share in South Sudan's rise to No.1 team in Africa - according to FIBA World Rankings -. He averaged a team-high 12 points per game in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, before recording 17 points per game in South Sudan's Olympic debut in Paris.
Wenyen Gabriel (SOUTH SUDAN)
DOB: March 16, 1997 Height: 2.08m (6'10") Position: Power Forward Nationality: South Sudanese
The former Los Angeles Lakers couldn't have had a more impactful debut for South Sudan's senior team.
Wenyen Gabriel, who currently plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel's top tier, led the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in block shots with 2.6 swats per game.
Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (RWANDA)
DOB: June 26, 1998 Height: 1.83m (6'0") Position: Guard Nationality: Rwandan
Nshobozwabyosenumukiza has been donning his country's national team uniform for almost a decade.
A shooting guard that can make a difference defensively, the 26-year-old who has featured in the BAL's first four seasons with three different clubs, grabbed the headlines when he set a FIBA record for most steals in a game.
Nshobozwabyosenumukiza registered an incredible double-double with 15 points and 14 steals to inspire Rwanda to a 62-58 win over South Sudan during the 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers.
Yannick Nzosa (DR CONGO)
DOB: November 15, 2003 Height: 2.10m (6'10") Position: Center Nationality: Congolese
A left-handed center with an incredible agility and remarkable footwork, Nzosa grabbed the headlines four years ago when, at the age of 16, he made his debut in Spain's top tier ACB while playing for Unicaja. He's long been associated with his country's national team, and this could be his maiden opportunity to suit up for the Leopards.
Hermaman Boukosso Igouwe (GABON)
DOB: March 6, 2001 Height: 1.93m (6'4") Position: Shooting Guard Nationality: Gabonese
Igouwe has put so much work to his game that he went averaging just 1 (one) point per game in the 2023 FIBA AfroCan to leading his club Moanda Basket in scoring with 15 points in the 2023 Road to BAL West Division.
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