Sierra Leone U16 Basketball Team Shows Promise Despite Defeat to Rwanda in FIBA AfroBasket Tournament

Sierra Leone U16 Basketball Team Shows Promise Despite Defeat to Rwanda in FIBA AfroBasket Tournament

The Sierra Leone Basketball Under-16 team fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a 65-47 defeat against host nation Rwanda in their second group game of the FIBA U16 AfroBasket Tournament. Despite the 18-point margin, the young Leone Stars showed flashes of brilliance, hinting at a promising future for basketball in the nation.

The contest was fiercely competitive through the first half, with Rwanda holding a slim 21-19 lead at the break. However, a combination of inexperience and a lack of proper training facilities back home began to take its toll on the Sierra Leonean squad in the latter quarters.

Despite the loss, individual performances stood out. Benjamin Davis was a force on the boards, grabbing an impressive 21 rebounds. While high turnovers proved detrimental to the team's overall performance, several players demonstrated eye-catching statistics, reminding spectators of their raw talent.

The team now faces a formidable challenge in their next group game on September 9th, 2025, against African basketball powerhouse, Angola. 

In a show of unwavering support, Federation President Ali Hijazi personally facilitated his travel to Rwanda to cheer on the boys, the sole delegate accompanying the team.