APR Women’s Basketball Club, one of Rwanda’s representatives at the 2025 FIBA Zone Five Club Championships, have strengthened their roster with three new signings ahead of the regional competition scheduled for November 9-15 in Nairobi, Kenya. Together with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Women, APR will be carrying Rwanda’s flag at the regional competition. The new recruits include Yacine Diop from Senegal, Italee Lucas from Angola, and A’Lexxus Davis from the United States. Senegalese national team captain Yacine Diop, 30, joins APR BBC as one of the most prominent figures in African women’s basketball. Known for her leadership and all-round play, Diop is expected to bring valuable international experience to the Rwandan side as they aim to qualify for the continental finals of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA). Angolan guard Italee Lucas, another well-known name on the African basketball scene, also beefs up APR’s lineup. Together with Diop, Lucas is expected to provide the team with a powerful blend of skill, experience, and competitive edge as they prepare for what promises to be a fiercely contested Zone V qualifier. Adding strength in the paint, A’Lexxus Davis, a 29-year-old American centre (188 cm), joins APR after her stint with Qurain in Kuwait’s Division 1 League. She previously played for SK Tirana in Albania, where she averaged 10.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game over 15 appearances, assisting her team win the national cup and reach the league final. Davis also competed in the Liga Unike, posting 14.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, earning League Player of the Week honours and a spot on the Eurobasket.com All-Liga Unike Second Team. A seasoned professional, Davis has played in six countries across four continents including Australia (Cougars), Germany (Baskets), Ireland (Meteors), Syria (Al Thawra), and Albania (Teuta). A graduate of USC Upstate (Class of 2018), she enters her eighth professional season. The Zone V qualifiers will feature top clubs from across East and Central Africa, all vying for a place in the prestigious WBLA continental finals. Al Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt, winners of the 2024 FIBA WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers, return as defending champions after claiming the Egyptian Cup with a 99–64 victory over Sporting Club. APR will look to build on their strong 2024 WBLA campaign, where they finished third overall following a thrilling 96–94 victory over ASC Ville de Dakar at the Marius Ndiaye Arena.
