DAKAR (Senegal) - For three days, Dakar was the centre of African basketball and a number of players gave their all to boost their respective countries' chances of qualifying for AfroBasket 2025 in Angola.
And after 12 games played at the Dakar Arena in the Senegalese capital from 22 to 24 November, the inevitable question is: who was the MVP of each nation in the Dakar Qualifiers?
WILLIAMS NARACE - Cameroon
Statistics: 12.3 EFF; 12.3 PPG; 7.3 RPG; 1.7 APG
Power Forward DOB: March 17, 1997 Height: 2.03m (6'8") Club: Le Mans - France's PRO-A
Williams Narace went from 6 points and 5 rebounds in the Group C opener against Gabon to 12 points and 13 rebounds against Rwanda. But as they say, big games are for big players.
And Narace was fearless, muscling his way through Senegal's defence and protecting Cameroon's with ferocity. Not even a rowdy home crowd could get in his way.
JORDAN SAKHO - DR Congo
Statistics: 22.3 EFF; 16.7 PPG; 8.7 RPG; 2.0 APG
CENTER DOB: April 4, 1997 Height: 2.09m (6'10") Club: Rio Breogan - Spain's ACB League No player was more influential at both ends of the floor than Sakho. The 27-year-old was the heart and soul of DR Congo for most of their three games in Dakar. His two huge block shots in DR Congo's 76-69 overtime win over South Sudan earned him the nickname "Congolese Mountain".
OMAR SIBY - Gabon
Statistics: 15.0 EFF; 6.0 PPG; 10 RPG; 1.7 APG
FORWARD DOB: April 9, 1999 Height: 1.98m (6'6") Club: Moamba Basket - Gabon's National Championship
Siby spent more time on the floor than any other Gabonese, a reflection of his productivity throughout the three games in Dakar. Despite his relatively small size, Siby's 10 rebounds per game speak for themselves.
MOUHAMED CHOUA - Morocco
Statistics: 26.7 EFF; 19.3 PPG; 11.3 RPG; 2.7 BLK
POWER FORWARD DOB: December 25, 1992 Height: 2.01m (6'7") Club: Rouen Metropole Basket - France's PRO-B
Although Morocco finished 3-0 down in Dakar, the indefatigable Choua was impressive in the face of bigger and better opposition. He did it all for Morocco
WILLIAM ROBEYNS - Rwanda
Statistics: 14.3 EFF; 14.0 PPG; 4.0 RPG; 3.0 AST
SMALL FORWARD DOB: February 23, 1996 Height: 1.95m (6'5") Club: APR - Rwandan National Championship; Basketball Africa League
A 5-for-11 performance from long range and 19 points against a defensive-minded Cameroon team was the clearest example of Robeyn's scoring prowess. Over the course of three games in Dakar, Robeyn made almost half (12-27) of Rwanda's (25-109) three-pointers.
BRANCOU BADIO - Cameroon
Statistics: 16.3 EFF; 22.3 PPG; 4.7 RPG; 4.0 AST
POINT GUARD DOB: February 17, 1999 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Club: Valencia Basket in Spain's ACB; EuroCup
Has there been a more impactful Senegalese player than Brancou Badio in Window 2 of the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers? Probably not, as the numbers show just how much he lifted his team's game when he was on the floor.
His 31-point performance against Cameroon epitomised Badio's value to DeSagana Diop's side. With Badio on the floor, Senegal were in safe hands
WENYEN GABRIEL - South Sudan
Statistics: 18.5 EFF; 14.0 PPG; 10.5 RPG; 2.5 BLK
POWER FORWARD DOB: March 26, 1997 Height: 2.08m (6'10") Club: Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israeli Premier Basketball League; Euroleague
After sitting out South Sudan's first qualifier against Morocco, the former NBA player played his part in the Bright Stars' 2-1 win. Gabriel had a double-double of 20 points and 14 points in a 76-69 overtime loss to DR Congo..
*The choices for the best players are entirely subjective and are in no way a true official FIBA Award. This has been designed by the Editorial team for the entertainment the fans.
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