U18 AfroBasket Preview Part 2
Part two of a two-part overview of the participating nations and prospects to watch in this year's FIBA U18 AfroBasket.
As we head into the early part of this year’s FIBA U18 AfroBasket, there are some interesting happenings to keep in mind. Teams such as Uganda have found new life, how will they compete against the traditional powers of African youth basketball? There has been an intense emphasis on sports development in Rwanda, how will the young men perform? Nigeria is known for fielding immensely talented players, will this talent translate into a successful showing? Morocco didn’t perform well last year, will their traditional grit and tenacity pay dividends? Senegal boasts players with NBA Academy experience, what benefits will they reap?
Uganda
Ugandan basketball is rejuvenated as they were dominant in their Zone V Qualifiers. The Junior Silverbacks play with an up-tempo pace and can get hot from range.
Tejan Rugette
Basics: 6’1, Point Guard
Accolades: BWB Africa Participant, Zone V U18 Qualifiers MVP
Description: The smooth lefty made waves at BWB Africa, he is crafty and can get into the lane with a slithery handle. Rugette thrives in the open court and keeps his head up zipping accurate passes to runners and cutters.
Brighton Galiwango
Basics: 6’4, Forward
Description: The most productive Ugandan player from the Zone V qualifiers, Brighton shot well from 3 (33%).
Mukisa Andrew Mubiru-Nkugwa
Basics: 6’3, Guard
Accolades: Recently picking up offers from Brown, Fairfield, Albany, Maine, Manahttan College, Canisius, and Iona
Description: Mukisa is an uber-athlete and a fierce defender who embraces tough matchups. It will be interesting to see how he can impact the game on the defensive side of the ball.
Edrine Ekau
Basics: 6’4, Forward
Description: The leading scorer for the Junior Silverbacks impacts the game in transition and is a viable threat from range.
Kagaba Musiime
Basics: 6’5, Forward
Description: Battling food poisoning in Zone V Qualifiers hindered Musiime, however the 6’5 forward has touch from range and can get going in a hurry.
Rwanda
Rwanda has invested in basketball and they are hoping for success to soon be on the horizon. The Rwandan government and basketball federation have been intentional about scouting abroad. It will be interesting to see how they stack up against Africa’s best.
Dylan Kayijuka
Basics: 6’2, Guard
Description: The electric scoring guard uses quick pull-ups to keep defenders off balance. He has great pace able to get into the lane and finish with touch around the basket.
Sean Williams Mwesigwa
Basics: 6’3, Guard
Description: Mwesiwga was quite impressive in the U16 AfroBasket, a scorer who can fill up the stat sheet. It will be interesting to see how he will team up with Kayijuka.
Nigeria
Nigeria did not participate in last year’s U16 AfroBasket. However, they will showcase a few big-name prospects and will look to make a splash.
Sulaimon Azeez
Basics: 6’1, Point Guard
Description: The quick shifty guard has the ability to take over games from a defensive perspective. He plays passing lanes well with anticipation and instincts.
Kpee Favour
Basics: 6’2, Guard
Description: Known as a shooter Favour showed immense confidence from distance during the qualifying rounds in Abijan.
Zoje Owinje
Basics: 6’6, Forward
Description: The 6-6 wing who resides in the DMV has made strides on the 3SSB summer circuit. His improved touch from range has been the difference maker in his game. Owinje’s versatility allows him to put bigger defenders in space while also punishing smaller defenders who get switched onto him.
Ajala David
Basics: 6’6, Forward
Accolades: BWB Africa Most Improved Player
Description: Ajala turned some heads at BWB Africa as an active forward.
Ibe Favour
Basics: 7’2, Center
Accolades: Recent offers from Texas, Florida State, Alabama, Louisville, Georgia
Description: The 7’2 big is a few months into his American experience and had an incredibly productive summer picking up a slew of high major offers. Ibe shows legit shot-blocking ability and uses his physical frame to carve out space for rebounds, an extremely translatable skill. In qualifying games he showed the ability to seal deep in the paint, drop-step & finish with power.
Ugonna David Ike
Basics: 7’0, C
Accolades: NBA Academy prospect, NBA BWB Defensive MVP
Description: The NBA Academy prospect is arguably the most touted prospect in this tournament. He has a physical frame and is a legit lob threat. Ugonna can defend in space while altering shots at the rim. He has a clean lefty stroke and shows promise in the future for pick-and-pop/trail 3-point shooting ability.
Morocco
After a disappointing showing in last year’s U16 AfroBasket, Morocco has reloaded with guard and wing depth.
Omar Karim
Basic: 6’1, PG
Accolades: Olimpia Milano U17
Description: Quick trigger shooter who can catch and shoot and on the move. Karim does a solid job of attacking closeouts and making good kick-out reads when necessary.
Rayane Solhi
Basic: 6’4, G/F
Description: A physical wing that can guard in space, Solhi plays with physicality and finishes well around the basket. He was the 2nd leading scorer last year in Tunisia so look for him to be aggressive and productive.
Noal El-Baz
Basics: 6’3, Guard
Description: One of the younger participants in this event El-Baz reads the game well and has a fluid stroke. He attacks closeouts and as a sound passer who is keenly aware of active help defenders on drives. El-Bas also makes correct outlet reads in transition as well as dump-offs on straight line drives
Otmane Zahir
Basics: 6’5, Guard
Description: Good footwork, off-ball cutter, good feel around the basket, fluid stroke.
Mohamed Bahmad
Basics: 6’6, F
Description: The forward from FUS Rabat has good touch around the basket. Solid big who is physical, knows how to relocate in the paint for open slots on dump-offs
Senegal
Senegal did not participate in the U16 AfroBasket but looks to have success as they bring in size and length.
N’faba Mane
Basics: 6’5, Forward
Description: Playing for Springdale Prep in the basketball rich DMV area, Mane has a big 6’5 frame that allows him to get downhill in transition & the half-court. Playing out of hesitations Mane gets to pull-ups and strong right-hand drives. Defensively, he shows great instincts as a rim contester and as a weak side shot-blocker averaging 0.7 BPG this past HS season. His explosive pop allows him to elevate for rebounds as well.
Cheikh Bamba Thiam
Basics: 6’4, Guard
Accolades: BWB Africa participant, SEED Academy Alum
Description: A standout at the recent BWB Africa camp, Thiam showed his value by asserting defensive pressure and getting downhill with force. Bamba uses his athleticism to snag rebounds, especially on the offensive end.
Chiekh Biteye
Basics: 6’5, Guard
Accolades: Seed Academy Alum
Description: Biteye is a pure athlete who gets north and south well, regularly slicing into the teeth of the defense with strong right-hand drives, particularly in transition.
Kara Sene
Basics: 6’6 Forward
Description: Another uber explosive athlete Sene excels in transition, is a solid off-ball cutter during penetration opportunities, and is an offensive rebounder.
Yakhya Diop
Basics: 7’0, Center
Description: The NBA Academy prospect has had his fair share of professional basketball, representing the Cape Town Tigers in the BAL this past season.
