Rwanda Olympic Team
FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 file photo, Dallas Mavericks center Salah Mejri in action during the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in Dallas. While the AfroBasket tournament doesn’t boast the star power of an Olympics, it does showcase ever-competitive and improving quality of basketball on the continent. Mejri, a more slender 7-foot-2 center who played for the Dallas Mavericks from 2015-19, hopes to use his 3-point shooting to draw former NBA draft pick Walter “Edy” Tavares away from the basket. Ugandan players struggled in the paint, knowing Tavares was looming to swat away shots. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)
Tall task: Cape Verde aims high in AfroBasket semifinals

By Ken Maguire Sep. 03, 2021 02:18 PM EDT

United States' players celebrate after their win in the men's basketball gold medal game against France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
US draws Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 31, 2021 08:31 AM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, Minnesota Timberwolves' Luol Deng in action suring an NBA basketball game, in Minneapolis, USA. The two-time NBA All Star, who became president of the South Sudan basketball federation after retiring as a player last year, Luol Deng wants to build up basketball in his native South Sudan that may mean him coaching the national team himself, as they prepare to play against Mali upcoming Saturday Nov. 28 2020. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, FILE)
Retired NBA player Deng coaches South Sudan at tournament

Nov. 27, 2020 10:47 AM EST

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 file photo, The Golden State Warriors first round draft pick, Ike Diogu from Arizona State, poses for the team photographer at Media Day at their headquarters in downtown Oakland, Calif. USA. The 2005 NBA Draft had its share of international players, but Ike Diogu was the lone Nigerian-American, but now fifteen years later, Nigerians are setting records. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas, File)
Former NBA lottery pick saw wave of Nigerian players coming

By Ken Maguire Nov. 27, 2020 08:09 AM EST