US-based youngster Nabil Danny Rurangirwa has joined Rwanda’s U18 team camp, in intensive preparations for the forthcoming FIBA Africa U18 Zone V championships.
The regional tournament is scheduled for June 17-22 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The 17-year old center, who plays for Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Florida, joined up with the rest of the team on Monday. The youth team train daily at Petit Stade Remera and are set to depart for Dar on June 15.
According to the U18 national team head coach Yves Murenzi, Rurangirwa is a great addition to the team that is seeking to successfully defend their title and qualify for the continental showpiece.
"He is a very good player with experience, height and strength that I absolutely believe will be of great addition to the team. We have nearly two weeks before the competition, no doubt he will have adapted and blended in well,” Murenzi told Times Sport on Tuesday.
The week-long tournament will have the girls’ and boys’ categories, a total 18 national teams competing in the 5 on 5 competitions and 3x3 basketball, which is a form of the game played three a side on one hoop and the largest urban team sport in the world.
In the boys’ 5x5 category, five countries have confirmed they will participate. Besides hosts Tanzania, others are Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda, while only Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda have confirmed they will field female teams as well .
In the 3x3 boys’ category, six countries; Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda have confirmed their participation, while four of them will also compete in the girls’ category; Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Only the winners in each category will qualify for the 2018 FIBA African Under-18 Championships finals.
The continental boys’ finals will be hosted in Malian capital, Bamako on August 17-26, while Mozambique will play host to the girls’ tournament from July 29 to August 5 in Maputo.
Angola (boys) and Mali (girls) are the reigning Africans champions.
The finalists at this year’s competitions will represent Africa at next year’s FIBA U19 World Championships.
Rwanda’s boys’ team:
Gakuru Ndahiro, Nabil Danny Rurangirwa, Jonathan Inkindi, Landry Irumva, Emile Kazeneza, Bruce Mudenge, Elias Ngoga, Theogene Niyibizi, Thierry Nkundwa, Ryan Ntwari, Jonathan Yuhi Rutimirwa, Eric Shema, Olivier Turatsinze, Jean de Dieu Umuhoza and Justin Uwitonze.
Girls’ team:
Hope Butera, Patience Butera, Stella Ndahiro Ineza, Joyeuse Sifa Ineza, Faustine Mwizerwa, Ange Umurangamirwa, Chance Mpogazi Uwase, Manishimwe Izadufasha, Clementine Uwimana, Deborah Iryimanivuze, Lea Mutarutwa, Benigne Uwera and Faith Butera.
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