Where are the former promising stars of the U16 African Championship?  

 

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The FIBA U16 African Championship has discovered a number of talented players over the past decade, but where are they now?

With this year's U16 African Champions scheduled for July in Tunisia, FIBA.basketball looks back at the last five editions of the tournament to bring you an update on the whereabouts of the former promising stars of the U16 African Championships.

SILVIO DE SOUSA (Angola)

An influential member of the Angolan team that clinched the 2013 U16 African Championship in Madagascar, De Sousa continued his national team career success by helping his country win the 2016 edition of the FIBA U18 African Championship, a competition that saw him win the MVP award. 

He later embarked on a US collegiate basketball career, where he played for the University of Kansas before switching to Chattanooga.

 

De Sousa started his professional basketball career in 2022 with Chorale Roanne in France's topflight PRO-A. 

ELLY RANDRIAMAMPIONONA (Madagascar)

Nowadays, it's almost impossible to talk about Madagascar basketball without a mention Randriamampionona.

A regular member of the Malagasy national team, the prolific three-point shooter continues to grace African basketball followers with his exuberant style of play. 

He was one of the highlights of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season while playing for GNBC. 

Last year, he featured for COSPN during the BAL qualifying round.

Randriamampionona helped his country to the fourth-place of the nine-team 2013 U16 African Championship. 

SHEKINAH MUNANGA SHEKINA (DR Congo)

DR Congo may have finished fifth in the 2013 edition of the U16 African Championship, but the event was an opportunity for the Shekina to make his name heard.

 

His name resonated so loud across the continent, that he went to become a regular member of the DR Congo senior national team. 

He currently plays professional basketball in France.

SAMI AL UARIACHI (Morocco)

Although Morocco finished out of the podium places at the 2015 edition of the U16 African Championship, Al Uariach made his introduction to an international audience on a remarkable fashion.

Eventually, Al Uariachi was named to the All-Tournament thanks to his savvy style of play. Al Uariachi played professionally for Algeciras in the Spain's LEB Silver league.

This fast-paced guard became a solid point guard, and it came as no surprise that earned his spot in Morocco's senior national team.

OUSSAMA MARNAOUI (Tunisia)

A standout during the 2015 edition of the tournament Marnaoui is, for many observers, the current face of Tunisia's new generation of players.

He displayed his talent and developed game during the BAL Sahara Conference last March while playing for US Monastir.

SIRIMAN KANOUTE (Mali)

Some called him a prodigy, others rated him as the best talented player coming out of Mali's basketball programs. 

 

After leading Mali to the 2017 U16 African championship title, he played a huge part in helping his country finish second at the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. No other African team had ever reach the Quarter-Finals of the tournament before. 

Konate was part of  SLUC Nancy in France's topflight PRO-A.

ADAMA SANOGO (Mali)

Winner of the 2017 U16 African Championship in Mauritius, Sanogo made history this year by becoming the first Africa-born player - after Hakeem Olajuwon - named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCCA Tournament. 

 

After helping the Connecticut Huskies to the NCAA title, Sanogo entered his name to the 2023 NBA Draft.

MOAMEN ABOUZEID (Egypt)

MVP of the 2019 edition of the tournament held in Praia, Cape Verde, Abouzeid currently plays for Egyptian champions Al Ahly.

He is part of the team that will try to win the 2023 BAL title. 

RUEBEN CHINYELU (Nigeria)

Leading rebounder of the 2019 edition of the FIBA U16 African Championship, Chinyelu remains one of the top prospects at the NBA Academy Africa.

He is part of the Stade Malien team that qualified for the BAL Playoffs.

Chinyelu has committed to the Washington State Cougars University. 

ASSEMIAN MOULARE (Cote d'Ivoire)

Leading scorer of the 2019 U16 African Championship, Moulare currently plays for Vichy-Clermont in France's PRO-B.

In addition to his professional career, Moulare remains a influential member of Cote d'Ivoire men's national team.

 The list of former promising stars of the U16 African Championship could go on and on. 

And here's a list of a few others that made tremendous impact in the recent history of the tournament: Glofate Buiamba (Angola), Hassan Drame (Mali), Oumar Ballo (Mali), Ibrahima Diallo (Guinea), and Tunisians Jawar Jawad and Achref Ganouni.

FIBA