TEAM PROFILE: Can Rwanda finally fulfil on their promise at AfroCan?
Keneth Gasana and Williams Robeyns have become vital for Rwanda over the past few years, but joining them is Jean Jacques Nshobozabyosenumukiza. Can this be the year that Rwanda lifts a major trophy?
KIGALI (Rwanda) Rwanda is a country that has, in many ways, made its mark on African basketball, yet they have not won a continental trophy.
Following their qualification for the 2023 AfroCan (Angola 8-16 July) last month in Tanzania, can this be the year that Rwanda lifts a major trophy?
FIBA.basketball looks at some insights on Rwanda ahead of their debut at the AfroCan.
Team: Rwanda
FIBA Ranking: 86th (World); 16th (Africa)
Last participation at the AfroCan: Rwanda will be participating at the AfroCan for the first time
Best result at the AfroCan: N/A
How they qualified for the 2023 AfroCan: During their FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers last month in Dar es Salaam, Rwandan overcame South Sudan (72-55), Eritrea (114-34), Tanzania (77-57), they lost to Burundi (53-52) in the Group Phase, but came strong in the Final, beating Burundi (70-48) to finish with a 4-1 record and secure a ticket to the 12-nation FIBA AfroCan in the Angolan capital Luanda.
Africa: Rwanda have competed in the last seven AfroBasket tournaments. They are yet to fulfil their promise at the continental level.
Star player: Keneth Gasana and Williams Robeyns have become vital for Rwanda over the past few years, but joining them is Jean Jacques Nshobozabyosenumukiza.
Nshobozabyosenumukiza has continental-wise become a household name in his own right. His ability as a floor general is undoubted, and he can also be a menace in defence.
Jean Jacques Nshobozabyosenumukiza
His 18 points and six rebounds during the qualifiers ensured Rwanda would make their debut at the AfroCan this month. The 25-year-old has the potential to be one of the stars of the tournament in Angola.
Rising star: Dick Sano is a young power forward who has come through the youth ranks in Rwanda. His numbers at the youth level showed he is a player on the rise and naturally progressed to the senior national team.
He had some decent minutes in the group game against Burundi. The 19-year-old could see his potential unlocked at the tournament.
New addition: American-born Kendall Grey made his Rwanda debut during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and he keeps cementing his huge role in the team's rotation.
Grey add some size to the Rwandan team at the low post. He played good minutes at the qualifying tournament in Tanzania. His experience can also come in handy should Rwanda make a deep run at the tournament.
Head coach: Cheikh Sarr is one of the most respected coaches on the continent and has an impressive CV, having led both the Senegalese men's and women's teams to respective AfroBasket tournaments. Sarr led the Senegal men's team to a third-place finish in 2013 and the women's to a second-place finish in 2019.
Cheikh Sarr
The Senegal-born, who has been at the coaching helm of Rwanda since 2021 and led them to the round of 16 at the AfroBasket that year. He will look to get the best out of the East Africans at the AfroCan.
Outlook: Rwanda have an experienced coach and players to make a full go at the AfroCan. The competition will be tough, but they know the continental terrain. Can this be the tournament where Rwanda fulfil on their promise? Time will tell.
FIBA