Rwanda basketball team head coach Maxime Mwiseneza has named a provisional 39-man squad to start preparations ahead of the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers set for June 30-July 1 in Nigeria. The team will start non-residential training tomorrow at Amahoro National Stadium in the capital Kigali with foreign-based players joining the camp on May 30. The development was confirmed to Saturday Sport by Richard Mutabazi, the secretary-general of Rwanda Basketball Federation yesterday. The provisional squad includes 25 home-based players and 14 foreign-based players. Reigning champions Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has the biggest number of representatives in the team (seven), followed by APR with five players, while IPRC- Kigali and Patriots have four players each. In window one of the first round’s qualifiers in Bamako, Mali, Rwanda finished bottom of the four-nation Group B table behind giants Nigeria, hosts Mali and Uganda. African qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup consist of 12 tournaments played across six windows. The first round has four groups of four teams, which play each other over two legs. The top three teams from each group advance to the second round, where the 12 qualified teams are divided in two groups (E and F) of six teams each. The top two teams from each of the group and the best third-ranked team will secure tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, slated for August 31 – September 15 in China. Full provisional squad Point-Guards: Aristide Mugabe (captain), Ali Kazingufu Kubwimana, Sedar Sagamba, Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, Philippe Kubanatubane and Emmanuel Iyakaremye Guards and forwards: Parfait Ishimwe, Walter Nkurunziza, Dieudonne Ndizeye, Steven Havugintwari, Bruno Nyamwasa, Fiston Irutingabo, Deo Amani, Patrick Nshizirungu and Prince Muhizi Power-forwards: Bienvenue Niyonsaba, Olivier Shyaka, Pascal Niyonkuru, Ali Ruzigande and Victor Mutabaruka Centres: Kami Kabange, Eric Munyaneza, Jean-Paul Ndoli, Elie Kaje and Fabrice Ruterana Foreign-based players: Kenneth Gasana, Dan Manzi, Adonis Rwabigwi, Patrice Twagirayezu, Hamza Ruhezamihigo, Bradley Cameron, Kevin Ndahiro, Sana Gasana, Yvan Sedu Kamili, Souku Souku, Hakizimana, Arnaud Nkusi, Enock Kiza and Cadeaux Furaha editorial@newtimes.co.rw
