ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - From veterans to newcomers and some very familiar names that are making waves around the globe, that's what some of the 30 teams are made of.
Here's a look at the ten players to watch over the course of the three-day qualifiers in Antananarivo, Tripoli and Rabat.
Mohamed Sadi
DOB: May 8, 1995 Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Position: Guard Nationality: Libyan
A player who can do it all, that's the best way to describe Mohamed Sadi, the first player in the history of the AfroBasket Qualifiers to record a triple-double.
Aggressive on both ends of the floor, he always gives his all and a little extra.
Obviously, Libya are within a whisker of qualifying for their first AfroBasket since 2009, and much of their success can be attributed to Sadi's tenacity.
Peter Jok
DOB: March 30, 1994 Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Position: Shooting Guard Nationality: South Sudanese
One of four 2024 Paris Olympians - along with Majok Deng, Sunday Dech and Jackson Makoi - to feature for the Bright Stars in Rabat, Peter Jok is the deadly shot that Luol Deng's team lacked in Dakar, where they lost one of their three games.
Jilson Bango
DOB: Jan 6, 1999 Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in) Position: Center Nationality: Angola
Jilson Bango has come a long way in the last three years, and since leaving Primeiro de Agosto in his native Angola to embark on his European journey, he has continued to attract interest from a number of high-profile European clubs. Bango recently signed for Euroleague side Fenerbahçe after spells with Spanish club Basket Zaragoza and German side Braunschweig.
Caleb Agada
DOB: August 31, 1994 Height: 1.96m (6ft 5in) Position: Point Guard Nationality: Nigerian /Canadian
Since his debut in 2017, Agada has worn the Nigerian uniform for a number of years. But he is best remembered for his contribution to the D'Tigers during the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket 2021 - Qualifiers, where he averaged 10 points per game. Former Nigeria coach Mike Brown gave him the chance of a lifetime by calling him up for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Jo Lual Acuil Jr
DOB: April 26, 1994 Height: 2.13m (7ft) Position: Center Nationality: South Sudanese-Australian
This will be Acuil's second stint with the Bright Stars after contributing 8 points and 6 rebounds per game during the 2021 AfroBasket qualifiers. A versatile player, Acuil made headlines last summer when he led Libyan outfit Al Ahly Ly to second place in the 2024 Basketball Africa League, winning two major individual trophies: the league's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
Brancou Badio
DOB: February 17, 1999 Height: 1.91m (6'3") Position: Point Guard Nationality: Senegalese
One of the tournament's leading scorers with 22.3 points per game, Badio is emerging as Senegal's go-to man.
Badio's status was underlined when Cameroon had Senegal on the ropes in the final quarter of their last match in November.
Badio came to their rescue, scoring a game-high 31 points as they won 87-83. Karim Mane, the other Senegalese to reach double figures, finished with 12 points.
Makram Ben Romdhane
DOB: March 27, 1989 Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in) Position: Power Forward Nationality: Tunisian
Whenever Tunisia's rising stars find themselves in unfamiliar territory, reigning AfroBasket MVP Makram Ben Romdhane has an answer. Such was the case when Tunisia found themselves in a bit of trouble against Guinea in the first round of qualifying, and Ben Romdhane delivered a steady but crucial performance of 9 points and 9 rebounds in what was their toughest test of these qualifiers.
Matt Costello
DOB: August 5, 1993 Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in) Position: Power Forward Nationality: Ivorian-American
Part of Côte d'Ivoire's 2021 AfroBasket silver medal-winning squad, where he averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds per game, Matt Costello brings the physicality and skill that Côte d'Ivoire desperately need to maintain their unbeaten run in Group D.
The former NBA player, who currently plays for Valencia in Spain's top flight, was named in the 2021 All-Tournament Team.
Aliou Diarra
DOB: December 31, 2001 Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in) Position: Center Nationality: Malian
Aliou Diarra's popularity continues to go from strength to strength, and this became evident when the former Basketball Defensive Player of the year, contributed massively to Mali's 1-2 mark. Diarra averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Mathias M'Madi
DOB: June 2, 2005 Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in) Position: Point Guard Nationality: Malagasy-French
The MVP of the 2022 FIBA U18 AfroBasket and leading scorer at the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, Mathias M'Madi has all eyes on him as he prepares to make his senior debut for Madagascar.
FIBA