10 prospects to watch out for in Africa

 

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - With the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers heading to its third window next month in Abidjan, Alexandria, and Kigali, teams have preselected some of Africa's top prospects. 

Some are set to debut for their national teams, others are looking to establish themselves as regular members of their teams.

Here are the 10 breakout players to watch out for in the African Qualifiers from July 1-3. 

Arthur Kaluma (Uganda)

DOB: March 1, 2002
Height: 2.01m (6ft 7 in)
Position: Forward
Club: Creighton Bluejays (NCAA D1)

Kaluma made his international introduction in early 2021 when he inspired Uganda in a do-or-die AfroBasket qualification series against Morocco in Morocco. The then-19 year-old led the Silverbacks with a game-high 20 points as Uganda silenced the Salle El Bouazzaoui with a 77-65 victory.

Kaluma's rise to stardom continued in Kigali where he contributed 13.2 pints and 5.8 rebounds to help Uganda reach the AfroBasket Quarter-Finals for the very first time.

Three months ago Kaluma displayed his talent in the NCAA Championship although his Creighton Bluejays fell 79-72 in the second round to eventual champions Kansas Jayhawks.  

Jilson Bango (Angola)

DOB: June 6, 1999
Height: 2.08m (6ft 9 in)
Position: Center
Club: Primeiro de Agosto (Angolan League)

Bango has become a breath of fresh air for former African champions Angola, who have been experiencing a rebuilding process over the past few years. 

Aggressive on both ends of the floor, rebounding, rim protection and ferocity attacking the basket are Bango's main assets, although he can still improve on his footwork. 

After contributing 9.6 points and 9.6 rebounds during his AfroBasket debut last year, Bango came up with a solid contribution of 8.3 and 9.3  in the first round of Group C of the African Qualifiers in November in Benguela, Angola.  

Nisre Zouzoua (Cote d'Ivoire)

DOB: July 7, 1996
Height: 1.86m (6ft 1 in)
Position: Guard
Club: Gries-Souffel (France PRO B) 

For some, Souleyman Diabate ranks as one of the most talented point guards on the continent of Africa. But when he's out, Zouzoua fills in his shoes to perfection. 

It's not an easy task to run the Ivorian's offense, but when he is called up, Zouzoua delivers it. That's what he did when he propelled Cote d'Ivoire to the second place of the African Championship last year with his 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Brancou Badio (Senegal)

DOB: February 17, 1999
Height: 1.88m (6ft 2 in)
Position: Guard
Club: Maxi Manresa (Spain's ACB)

After spending two seasons with FC Barcelona, Badio spent the last season in Germany with the Franport Skyliners where he contributed 10.6 points and 3 assists per game. 

An astute ball handler with an ability to catch-and-shoot, the Senegalese has been so impressive that Maxi Manresa signed him for the remaining of this season..

Although Badio had a relatively shy showing in the first round of Group D of the African Qualifiers in February,  he made his presence felt with a contributions of 6.7 points and a team-high 6 assists per game. 

Oussama Marnaoui (Tunisia)

DOB: June 16, 1999
Height: 1.94m (6ft 4 in)
Position: Guard
Club: US Monastir (Tunisian Championnat National A)

Slowly but surely, Marnaoui starts to make name his known across the continent. 

Marnaoui is only 22, but he already has a history with with the Tunisian basketball. He has represented his country in every youth category until he made his AfroBasket debut last year. 

Aggressive defensively, and extremely quick to attack the basket, Marnaoui, who helped US Monastir to the Basketball Africa League title last month, is a potential backup to Omar Abada in the Tunisia's rotation. 

Allan Dokossi (Central African Republic)

DOB: December 14, 1999
Height: 2.05 m (6ft 9 in)
Position: Power Forward/Center
Club: Fos-Sur-Mer (France's PRO-A)

A fearless left-handed forward with a huge margin of progression, Dokossi continues to prove that he's ahead of this time.

Just a take a quick look into his performances during the 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers and first round of Group C of the African Qualifiers last Novembers and his numbers tell his story. 

Dokossi averaged 13.7 points and 7 rebounds in the Qualifiers for the African Championship. In November, he helped the Central Africans with 12.5 points and 11 rebounds in two games (he sat out the clash against hosts Angola due to an ankle injury).

Mohab Yasser (Egypt)

DOB: July 6, 2002
Height: 1.95m (6ft 4 in)
Position: Guard
Club: East Tennessee State University/Zamakek (Basketball Africa League)

Yasser is a force of nature. He's as energetic on the defensive end as he is attacking the rim. He often looks tireless and prepared for the next action.

 After spending a season at the NBA Academy Africa and making an excellent display with Zamalek in the inaugural BAL season, Yasser returned for his second BAL stint after making his collegiate basketball debut with East Tennessee State University.

He has represented Egypt at youth level, but he's yet to play for the senior team.  

Charles Minlend Jr (Cameroon)

DOB: December 19, 1997
Height: 1.93m (6ft 3 in)
Position: Guard
Club: Forces Armees et Police (Cameroon Championnat National and Basketball Africa League)

Relatively knew to African basketball, this former Louisville University player left a positive impression in his BAL debut while playing for FAP. 

His decent ball handling and ability to drive to the basket may be valuable for Cameroon.

Mayan Kiir (South Sudan)

DOB: January 1, 1998
Height: 2.06m (6ft 9 in)
Position: Forward
Club: Cobra Sports (Basketball Africa League)

Physically gifted, Kiir was one the best players who missed out on the BAL playoffs last month while playing for South Sudan's Cobra Sports. His pre-selection for the upcoming window of the African Qualifiers is a testament of his talent.

Patrick Mwamba (DR Congo)

DOB: October 10, 1999
Height: 2.01m (6ft 7 in)
Position: Forward
Club: UT Arlington Texas University

An NBA Academy Africa product, who went to play for Texas-Arlington, Mwamba made his AfroBasket debut last year, contributing nine points and four rebounds in three games.

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