As Basketball continues to grow on the continent, Africa has produced some exciting talents in recent years with a significant chunk being point guards. These players have gained continental recognition because of their incredible ball handling skills, game intelligence and vision on the court, easing their teams to victories. This writeup spotlights on Africa's top five point guards dazzling on the continent.
Last Updated on
September 29, 2024
Elango Mbotona
Staff Writer
The rise of African basketball has been nothing short of remarkable, with leagues across the continent growing in both competitiveness and visibility. One of the key positions driving this growth is the point guard role, where several talented players are orchestrating play and showcasing their skills on the court. In this piece, we will focus on five standout point guards currently playing in African leagues: Solo Diabaté, Childe Dundão, Adonis Filer, Omar Abada, and Jean Jacques Boissy.
Solo Diabaté, the Ivorian floor general, is one of the most experienced and decorated point guards in African basketball. Currently playing for the Angolan powerhouse Petro de Luanda, Diabaté is known for his exceptional court vision, leadership, and ability to control the tempo of the game. He is a master of breaking down defenses with his dribble penetration, creating easy scoring opportunities for his teammates, and facilitating fast breaks. His ability to make shots beyond the arc has often seen him likened to Steph Curry.
The two time BAL Champion has helped teams like Al Ahly Bengazi to secure a spot in the BAL. Diabaté’s experience extends beyond Africa, having played in various European leagues, which has sharpened his basketball IQ and added versatility to his game. Now aged 37, Diabate like fine wine has become better, displaying an innate ability to thrive under pressure and hit defining clutch shots. But beyond these impressive qualities, it is his exceptional passing that has made him one of the most reliable point guards on the continent.
Childe Dundão, the Angolan dynamo, is one of the most electrifying point guards currently plying their trade on the continent. Standing at 5'6", Dundão might be undersized compared to other play. Dundão’s ability to push the pace and lead fast breaks has been crucial to Petro de Luanda’s success in both domestic and continental competitions. Dundao who has appeared twice on the BAL All-Defensive First Team has been a mainstay for the Angolan national team since climbing up the ranks of the U18 team, competing in the 2016 FIBA Africa Under 18 Championship and 2017 FIBA Under 19 World Cup.
Adonis Filer has carved out a name for himself as one of the most reliable point guards in African basketball. Representing the Rwandan club Patriots BBC, Filer brings in a wealth of experience to the African game, having played college basketball in the United States and professionally in other international leagues. His strength lies in his versatility; he can score efficiently, pass with precision, and defend aggressively.
Filer’s combination of size, skill, and experience make him a tough matchup for opposing guards. Whether hitting shots from long range or driving to the basket, Filer’s offensive arsenal is well-rounded. His calm demeanor on the court, coupled with his leadership abilities, makes him a vital cog in the Patriots BBC lineup.
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Omar Abada is one of Tunisia’s finest basketball exports and a key player for Club Africain, a dominant force in African basketball. Abada has a really impressive trophy cabinet, picking up individual and team distinctions. The four-time best point guard in the Tunisian league is known for his excellent ball-handling skills, sharp shooting, and ability to dictate the pace of play. As the lead point guard for Club Africain, Abada’s basketball IQ allows him to make quick decisions on the court, whether it’s finding the open man or pulling up for a three-point shot.
A two-time Afrobasket victor in 2017 and 2021, Abade has been a consistent performer in international competitions. His ability to live up to the billing in clutch moments have been crucial in helping Etoile Sportive and US Monastir claim silverware in the Tunisian league. His defensive tenacity, combined with his offensive prowess, make him a complete player who can control the game on both ends of the court.
Jean Jacques Boissy is a rising star in African basketball, currently playing for Urunani BBC in Burundi. The Seenegalese has rapidly made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young point guards in the Basketball Africa League while playing for AS Douanes. His ability to control the flow of the game and make pinpoint passes set him apart from many of his peers. Boissy has an innate ability to read defenses and break them down with his dribble, often finding teammates for easy baskets.
In addition to his playmaking, Boissy is also a scoring threat, capable of knocking down shots from beyond the arc or finishing at the rim. His high-energy style of play and leadership on the court have been pivotal in AS Douanes' success, and his potential for growth makes him one to watch for the future of African basketball.
These five point guards, Solo Diabaté, Childe Dundão, Adonis Filer, Omar Abada, and Jean Jacques Boissy, represent the best of African basketball. Each of them brings a unique set of skills to the game, whether it’s leadership, scoring, or defense, and their contributions are critical to their teams’ success in both domestic leagues and continental competitions like the BAL. As African basketball continues to rise on the global stage, these players are not only stars today but are helping pave the way for the next generation of talent.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA ]
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