At least 16 young basketball players are representing Rwanda at the Giants of Africa youth basketball camp running at BK Arena from July 28 to 31. They are among 320 campers from 20 African national teams across Africa. The youth basketball tournament includes a round-robin competition that will determine which countries and individual players advance to the championship and All-Star Games. The Rwandan boys' roster includes Joseph Nshimiye, Jonas Singizwa, Hilar Iradukunda, Ivan Mugabo, Dylan Lebson Kayijuka, Jean Baptiste Murangwa, Jayden Shaka Rushema, and William Sean Mwesigwa. In the girls' category, the host nation’s roster features Wivine Elisabeth Mugisha, Nelly Uwihirwe, Adelphine Tuyishime, Brigitte Nibishaka, Liliane Ingabire, Soumaya Nzitabakuze, Rachel Gikundiro, and Angelique Tuyishime. “Being exposed to these highly experienced coaches is a great opportunity. Some of us have already started representing the country on national teams. For me, this is a chance to learn and grow,” said Singizwa, one of the campers who was part of the Rwandan team that competed in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024. ALSO READ: What you should know as Giants of Africa Festival returns to Kigali Nibishaka joined the camp after an impressive season in the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League where she finished the regular season as the top scorer with 501 points. She told Times Sport that the camp provides a valuable learning experience for her and everyone at the camp. “I feel blessed to be here. Giants of Africa has brought us incredible basketball personalities, including former WNBA players. It’s inspiring—it makes me believe that reaching that level is possible,” she shared. The boys’ team is coached by Bienvenu Ngandu and Innocent Mugisha, while the girls’ team is under the guidance of Joseline Munyaneza and Shaban Rehema. ALSO READ: Giants of Africa empowers 50 students in Huye The 20 countries represented at the Giants of Africa Festival are Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and host nation Rwanda. Founded in 2003, Giants of Africa uses basketball as a tool to empower African youth to “Dream Big.” Through mentorship and world-class coaching, the initiative aims to build leadership capacity in young people and equip them with opportunities to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
