Antino Jackson on playing for Rwanda: I wanted to be part of something special

Days after being summoned on Rwanda’s national basketball team roster, American point guard Antino Jackson could only express a feeling of excitement about the development, confessing that his decision was fueled but the fact that he wanted to be part of something special. Jackson, 28, moved to the domestic league earlier in 2024, joining Rwanda Energy Group (REG BBC). A season later, he not only crossed over to APR but also made a bold decision to play international basketball for Rwanda. ALSO READ: Basketball: APR sign American point guard Antino Jackson He is now among the new players added to the team that is gearing up for the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers, along with Swiss-based power forward Dylan Shema and APR youngster Bruno Shema. The point guard told Times Sport that he is the one who initiated the conversation regarding the possibility to play for Rwanda. “Throughout the course of the year, I was asking about it. I wanted to be a part of something special for a country, you understand? So I looked into it to see if I had a chance to be a part of something bigger than just a club. This is for the whole country,” Jackson said in an interview. Rwanda head coach Cheikh Sarr described Jackson as a “mature point-guard who has good leadership skills, a very positive character.” “He can organise the game, identify the shooters, and use the pick and roll. He is a good defender, he is very fast and can take shots as well,” Sarr said. Jackson sees potential in Rwanda as an “upcoming basketball nation” and he wants to help it make history. “I just want to win for Rwanda,” he said. Jackson is currently regarded as one of the best players in the Rwandan basketball league. His life has been all about basketball from his young age. His journey continued in high school and college and it is five or six years now since he became a professional player. He said, “I played in Europe, a lot of places around the world” until he found himself in Rwanda. “Cleveland Thomas (former REG point guard) was the guy that brought me here,” he revealed. “I just took full advantage of the opportunity; just trying to continue to build on an upcoming league in an upcoming country,” he pointed out. ALSO READ: Sarr names Antino Jackson in provisional roster for 2025 Afrobasket qualifiers Jackson, who previously plied his trade in the United States and Lithuania, spent one season with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and helped them reach the semifinals playoffs of the Rwanda Basketball League (REG) before they were eliminated by eventual champions APR. Despite REG’s elimination, Jackson’s individual exploits saw him become a major obstacle for the army side which eventually signed him to play for them in the coming season. Reflecting on his debut season in Rwanda, the point guard admitted that “it was a very competitive season, had really good players.” And he is convinced that the league can only get better. What qualities does Jackson bring to Rwandan roster? Jackson will be playing his first international game with Rwanda in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers on Friday, November 22, when they take on hosts Senegal in Group C opening match. Prior to the tournament, he said that he wants to win on the global stage and put Rwanda on the map. And asked about some of the qualities he brings to Sarr’s roster, he said, “I feel like I'm bringing a lot of leadership, a lot of toughness, a lot of talking and the will to win.” “I just want to do anything to win and try to help as much as I can towards the younger guys and try to help them get better at their game so we can all be good on the court together.” “I'm super excited, I really love this place. I'm not going to lie to you,” he added.

Sports

Antino Jackson on playing for Rwanda: I wanted to be part of something special