Team profile: Can Edy Tavares dominate for Cape Verde on the biggest stage?

OKINAWA (Japan) - The smallest nation to ever take part in the FIBA Basketball World Cup is looking to make it big on its much-awaited debut.

Representing a country with only a population of a little over 570,000, Cape Verde are out to make their people proud as they compete with some of the world's best beginning in Japan, with the hope to go deep into the tournament tipping off on August 25.

The Roster

Walter 'Edy' Tavares headlines the Blue Sharks' lineup, which also features the core of the squad that competed in the African Qualifiers.

 

Joining the Real Madrid center are Ivan Almeida and Joel Almeida, who both played in all 10 games of their qualification campaign and helped the team finish with a 6-4 record, none bigger than their memorable 79-64 beatdown of Ivory Coast in their final game last February as it secured their first-ever trip to the World Cup,

Cape Verde will go as far as this troika will take them. But they won't have any lack of support as there are still other veterans in the squad such as Fidel Mendonca, Kenneti Mendes, and Anderson Correia, as well as Will Tavares, who's one of the team's younger players at 28.

The Question

Given those pieces and their individual experiences altogether, can the debutants make a Cinderella run in their first World Cup rodeo? It's intriguing, to say the least, since they will have their work cut out for them as early as the opening round.

The Blue Sharks are pooled in Group F, which also features European powerhouse Slovenia, ranked no. 7 in the FIBA World Ranking Men presented by Nike; fellow newcomer Georgia; and long-time Americas contender Venezuela.

The Georgians will be their first test on the 26th and that, definitely, will set the tone of their campaign in FIBA's flagship event.

The Hope

They are first-timers, for sure, but Cape Verde are coming into the World Cup in high spirits, given their success in recent years.

The team pulled off a surprise run in the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 as they reached the Semi-Finals for the first time since claiming the bronze medal in 2007. They eventually finished in fourth place.

The 2.21m (7'3") Edy Tavares himself was a major part of that run, so much so that he eventually landed a spot on the tournament's All-Star Five.

Even to this day, Tavares continues to be as important for the program. He averaged 14.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the African Qualifiers.

And so, a heavy burden will rely on his broad shoulders as the Blue Sharks hope to surprise the competition. 

Defenses will most likely swarm him with multiple bodies, so somebody else from the team will have to seize the opportunities his presence could create.

Tavares be a factor on the defensive end, too. His presence inside will allow his teammates to be aggressive on the perimeter, knowing that he's in the middle to contest drives to the cup. They all just have to try to stay out of foul trouble.

He is the hope for Cape Verde.

The Fear

Experience is a major concern for the World Cup first-timers but there's another issue that may or may not affect Tavares and Co. in the competition: age.

Cape Verde might be one of the oldest teams in this year's tilt. They can still provide, no doubt. But Joel Almeida, for one, is 37 years old. Ivan Almeida turned 34 just last May. Edy Tavares himself is already 31. Not good for a team that also concerns about depth.

Ivan Almeida

It will be interesting to see how the team competes in the First Round against opponents that have younger players such as Slovenia and Georgia.  

IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

YEAR	EVENT	LOCATION	ACHIEVEMENT
2021	FIBA AfroBasket	Rwanda (RWA)	4th
2021	Olympics	Tokyo (JPN)	Did not qualify
2019	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Beijing (CHN)	Did not qualify
2017	FIBA AfroBasket	TUN-SEN	17th
2016	Olympics	Rio de Janeiro (BRA)	Did not qualify
2015	FIBA AfroBasket	Tunisia (TUN)	10th
2014	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Madrid (ESP)	Did not qualify
2013	FIBA AfroBasket	Ivory Coast (CIV)	6th
2012	Olympics	London (GBR)	Did not qualify
2011	FIBA AfroBasket	Madagascar (MAD)	Did not qualify

The Poll

 

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For a deeper look on Cape Verde's journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup, click here.

FIBA