National basketball team head coach Cheikh Sarr has added Barbados-born forward Hason Ward to his provisional squad ahead of the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 tournament, set to take place in Angola from August 12 to 24. Ward, who arrived in Kigali on Tuesday evening, joins the 21-man provisional squad as the team continues its preparations. Rwanda is in Group A alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and DR Congo. ALSO READ: Sifa Ineza ruled out of Women’s AfroBasket 2025 through injury Ward plays club basketball for the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). He joined the team in 2024, appearing in 12 games and averaging 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 18 minutes per game. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Ward joined the Sacramento Kings for the NBA Summer League. He later signed with the Boston Celtics on October 16, 2024, but was waived the following day. On October 26, he joined the Maine Celtics, Boston's NBA G-League affiliate. ALSO READ: Rwanda to host Basketball Without Borders camp 2025 The national team is currently training under assistant coach Yves Murenzi, alongside veterans Kenny Gasana and Sunny Niyomugabo. Head coach Cheikh Sarr is expected to join the team after completing his duties with the women’s national team at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire. Provisional Squad: Lars Ishimwe, Ntore Habimana, Pierre Vandriessche, Prince Twa, Jean de Dieu Umuhoza, Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, Justin Uwitonze, William Robeyns, Steve Hagumitwari, Axel Mpoyo, Chandelier Twizeyimama, Cyiza Nshuti, Dieudonné Ndizeye, Prince Muhizi, Paul Bizimana, Cadeaux de Dieu Furaha, Bruno Shema, Hason Ward, Noah Bigirumwami, David Mutabazi, and Trey Twa.
