After a three-year absence, Patriots’ Aristide Mugabe is back in the Rwanda men’s National Basketball team for 2021 AfroBasket preparations.
In 17 players present in the country called to start the strength and conditioning program, Aristide Mugabe has received his first sensational recall to the Rwanda preselection roster for 2021 AfroBasket since he last represented the country of thousand hills three years ago.
Among the players called up by coach Dr. Cheikh Sarr, dominated by APR BBC players, 4 players are from Patriots BBC while 6 are from APR BBC.
This roster includes plenty of fresh faces. APR BBC’s duo of the guard and forward, Armel Sangwa and Honoré Niyongira who have been handed their first call-up. Sangwa, the former Espoir BBC player has been a good three point shooter in the last 3 seasons of BKBNL.
Niyongira joined APR this season from Canada. He previously played for Acadia University.
Among the new faces, Cedric Gitori Rutazigwa has received a surprise call up too. The Shoot For The Stars’ leading scorer was awarded for good performance in 2021 BKBNL first leg games.
Belgium-based William Robeyns, currently in the country has been called for the first time too.
Robeyns, 25, played for Phoenix Brussels and Liège Basket will now join the squad to boost the offensive options. Having played Belgium at U-16 and U-18 levels, He may represent Rwanda, should he make the final roster to AfroBasket.
The list also includes Steven Hagumintwari, the Patriots’ forward who had not played a single game in the 2021 BK National League due to an injury picked up in BAL.
Veteran Kami Kabange is not listed and neither is the new REG BBC forward, Pascal Niyonkuru.
17 man Pre-selection Squad:
Ntore Habimana (Tigers BBC), Aristide Mugabe (Patriots), Sedar Sagamba (Patriots), J.Jacques Wilison Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (REG BBC), Steven Hagumintwari (Patriots), Armel Sangwa (APR BBC), Cedric Gitore Rutazigwa (Shoot For The Stars), Axel Mpoyo (APR BBC), Emile Galois Kazeneza (APR BBC), Honoré Niyongira (APR BBC), Arnaud Nkusi (APR BBC), Elie Kaje (REG BBC), Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba (Patriots), Olivier Shyaka (REG BBC), Marius Tresor Ntwali (APR BBC), Elias Ngoga ( UGB) and William Robeynis (Liège Basketball)
