National basketball team interim head coach Yves Murenzi has named three new players on the provisional squad that is gearing up for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Tunisia from November 27–30. ALSO READ: Basketball: Tunisia to host Group A, C of FIBA World Cup qualifiers The new additions include Brillant Brave Rutsindura, a US-based power forward who was part of the U-18 national team that competed in the 2022 AfroBasket in Madagascar. Another fresh inclusion is Dylan Kayijuka, captain of the U-18 national team, who has earned his first senior team call-up. The highly rated point guard was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025 Giants of Africa basketball tournament after leading Rwanda to a 27–24 victory over Senegal in the boys’ final. ALSO READ: Who’s who on Rwanda’s new coaching staff for FIBA World Cup qualifiers The 18-year-old was instrumental in Rwanda’s success at the FIBA U-18 AfroBasket 2024, where he ranked first in scoring during the group phase with an average of 21.3 points per game. He impressed with good performances including 25 points and 14 rebounds against hosts South Africa, where he converted 16 of 18 free throws. He followed up with another 20-point performance against Morocco and 19 points in the final group match against Zambia. The third new player is David Joseph McCormack, a 26-year-old American forward who currently plays for Bayern Munich in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague. A former standout at the University of Kansas, McCormack was part of the team that won the 2022 NCAA National Championship. Among the returnees, Jean-Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza is back in the squad after missing the AfroBasket in Angola. The November window of the World Cup qualifiers will be played in form of a four-day tournament in Tunisia. They will feature eight teams from Groups A and C competing for six slots in the decisive third round of the African qualifiers. Rwanda has been drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Guinea, and Tunisia, while Group A comprises Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, and Cape Verde. Provisional Squad: Kenny Manzi, David Mutabazi, Brillant Brave Izere Rutsindura, Dick Rutatika Sano, David McCormack, Paul Bizimana, Prince Tokoza Twa, Steven Hagumintwari, Trey Sinze Twa, Prince Muhizi, William Robeyns, Cadeau de Dieu Furaha, Bruno Shema, Ntore Habimana, Dylan Kayijuka, Jean-Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, Dieudonné Ndayisaba Ndizeye, and Chandelier Twizeyimama Cyiza.
