Canada-based Rwandan point guard Dylan Kayijuka was named captain of U18 men’s national basketball team which is in South Africa for the U18 men’s Afrobasket which tips off at University of Pretoria on Tuesday, August 3.

The basketball prodigy and his counterparts will tussle it out with Group C rivals South Africa, Zambia and Morocco in the group stages which will decide two teams that will progress to the knockouts.

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Rwanda’s first test will be against hosts South Africa on Tuesday, September 3.

Before the team gets into action, Times Sport caught up with Kayijuka and he talked to us about his team’s targets at the tournament.

Excerpts:

What does it mean for you to represent Rwanda at U18 Afrobasket?

I feel honoured and I have a great sense of responsibility. I am proud to represent my country and most of all I want to make my people proud and do right by them.

I think about the people who work in the field early in the morning till late at night, the people who walk kilometres for water, the people who sweep the streets, those are hard-workers.

ALSO READ: Rising star Kayijuka aims higher after FIBA Zone 5 qualifiers exploits

I keep them close to my heart and I play for them because those hard-workers embody Rwanda’s values and they are the backbone of our country.

I want to put my team on the radar we never played on the international stage and qualifying for the 2025 World Cup would bring an unimaginable type of joy and pride to our country and citizens.

My goal is for my fellow Rwandans to be able to look at the U18 national team and myself with a sense of pride and joy. So representing my country means everything to me.

Did you ever dream of representing Rwanda when you were young?

Truthfully, it never crossed my mind, living in Canada made representing my country feel like a distant and unattainable dream. I never thought I would have the opportunity to represent my country.

Living in Canada made me naturally want to represent Canada. Even though I believed it wouldn’t be possible to represent my country. God works in mysterious ways. God has blessed me with an amazing opportunity. Nevertheless, I’m grateful and happy for the way things worked out.

Do you have any of Rwanda’s senior team players that you admire?

I admire Philoxy Destiney and Sifa Ineza on the Women’s Senior national team, I watched them play during the Women’s World Cup pre-qualifiers.

I admire how Destiney plays with such poise and calmness; she controls the game and plays at her own pace. I also admire Sifa’s confidence to let it fly and passion for the game as well as the joy she plays with.

Tell us about your playing style and your strength?

My playing style is relaxed and involves a lot of change of pace, I’m strong with the ball and can get to the rim at will, I can also shoot the 3 ball.

My most notable strength is my mind. I can read and adapt to how players defend me, I’m always one step ahead of my opponents. I know what they are thinking and what their next move will be.

What do you want to achieve at the U18 Afrobasket?

I want to win it all and qualify for the World Cup.

How does it feel to be the team captain?

I feel lucky, I’m surrounded by amazing people with great characters, so being chosen as captain made me feel honored and feel a great sense of responsibility.

Honestly, I don’t think I deserve to be captain because I believe there are people around me who are more fit, capable and more deserving than myself. Despite that, being captain makes me feel a responsibility to represent my people and country with honour and dignity.

Tell us about your high school basketball experience in Canada

I play for a program called Canada Topflight Academy based in Ottawa, I play a leadership role over there too. I create for my teammates to control the game. When the game is close, the ball is in my hands to make a play.