The 2021 FIBA AfroBasket tournament has begun in Rwanda, with the continental African tournament featuring a host of players who have hit the hardwood in both the NBL and NBL1.
The South Sudanese team, playing in their first ever AfroBasket tournament features four former NBL players, all of whom have also suited up in the NBL1 competition.
Away from South Sudan, Australian trailblazer Liz Mills will lead the Kenyan team, becoming the first female head coach in FIBA AfroBasket history.
Mills has taken the Kenyan team to the African championship for the first time since 1993. You can read more about Liz Mills' journey in coaching here.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">History made ??<br>Kenya is back to the <a href="https://twitter.com/AfroBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AfroBasket</a> for the first time in 28 years.<br>Proud to be the 1st woman to lead a men's national team to a major continental tournament ?<br>? <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBA</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAAfrica?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAAfrica</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfroBasket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfroBasket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qualifiers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qualifiers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GroupB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GroupB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kenya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kenya</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Morans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Morans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angola?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Angola</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoachMills?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoachMills</a> <a href="https://t.co/GQcRVB2Nyn">pic.twitter.com/GQcRVB2Nyn</a></p>— Coach Liz Mills (@Coach_LizMills) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_LizMills/status/1363746955734753280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Here are some of the familiar names to keep and eye on in AfroBasket 2021..
Kuany Kuany
The former Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings player has most recently been suiting up for the Sandringham Sabres in NBL1 South, averaging 20.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in 12 outings this season.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Refugee ?????? College ??FNQ ?<a href="https://twitter.com/Kuany_Ngor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kuany_Ngor</a> is ready to show out for the <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL18</a> <a href="https://t.co/G6lCfvC5xU">pic.twitter.com/G6lCfvC5xU</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/916236976503656448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
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Mathiang Muo
The one-time Perth Wildcats recruit has been a regular fixture in NBL1 with the Hobart Chargers, Bendigo Braves, South West Metro Pirates and this season, with the Geraldton Buccaneers in NBL1 West.
Muo has hit some huge shots in this season, putting up averages of 23 points and eight rebounds per game while also being named in the NBL1 West All-First Team at the end of season awards last week.
We can't let anyone forget this game winner from earlier this season..
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">MATHIANG CALLED GAME ??<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1West?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1West</a> live and free on <a href="https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8">https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8</a> and the NBL App ? <a href="https://t.co/6PLmoRLHCM">pic.twitter.com/6PLmoRLHCM</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1418916345069064203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Deng Acuoth
The former Sydney Kings and South East Melbourne Phoenix player was a force in qualifying for South Sudan.
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Most recently playing with the Ballarat Miners under Brendan Joyce, Acuoth has posted 12.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in the NBL1 South season.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">OH MY DENG ? <a href="https://twitter.com/DengAcuoth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DengAcuoth</a> THROWS IT DOWN for <a href="https://twitter.com/BBallBallarat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBallBallarat</a> ? <br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1South?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1South</a> on <a href="https://t.co/gSj0H52nYC">https://t.co/gSj0H52nYC</a> and the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> App ?? <a href="https://t.co/8MFObJkqiJ">pic.twitter.com/8MFObJkqiJ</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1390991252066213891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Makuei Puondak
Formerly a Development Player with the Cairns Taipans alongside teammate Kuany Kuany, Puondak is currently plying his trade in the Spanish second division and has previously played with the Sandringham Sabres back in 2018.
Teny Bak Puot
Formerly playing with the Waverley Falcons in the 2019 NBL1 season, Puot was a key figure in qualifying with the guard finishing in double-figures twice against the likes of Mali and Rwanda last year.
