Ivory Coast Men's National Basketball Team Players
The Ivory Coast men's national basketball team is the national basketball team of Ivory Coast, representing the country in international basketball competitions. The team is managed by the Federation Ivoirienne de Basket-Ball (FIBB) and has competed in various international tournaments.
History of the Ivory Coast Men's National Basketball Team
The Ivory Coast men's national basketball team was established in 1964 and has since participated in various international tournaments, including the FIBA Africa Championship, AfroBasket, and the Olympic Games. The team's first major tournament appearance was in the 1985 FIBA Africa Championship, where they finished in fifth place.
The team's best performance in a major international tournament was in the 1987 AfroBasket, where they finished in fourth place. The team has also qualified for the Olympic Games twice, in 1984 and 1988, but failed to make it past the preliminary stage.
Current Roster
As of 2021, the Ivory Coast men's national basketball team has a roster of 12 players, including:
- Abdoulaye Loum
- Aboubacar Coulibaly
- Cedric Bah
- Charles Abouo
- Deon Thompson
- Diarra Sidiki
- Issa Dieng
- Mohamed Kone
- Romeo Enan
- Sidy Mohamed Djitte
- Souleyman Diabate
- Vafessa Fofana
The team is currently coached by Paolo Povia, an Italian basketball coach who has been working with the Ivory Coast men's national basketball team since 2019.
Notable Players
The Ivory Coast men's national basketball team has had several notable players throughout its history, including:
- Charles Abouo - a shooting guard/small forward who currently plays for the Ivory Coast national team and is known for his athleticism and scoring ability. Abouo has also played professionally in Europe and Asia.
- Stéphane Konaté - a former shooting guard who played for the Ivory Coast national team from 2009 to 2015. Konaté was known for his scoring ability and played professionally in France, Spain, and Italy.
- Yao Ming - while not a native of Ivory Coast, Yao Ming played for the Chinese national basketball team in the 2008 Olympic Games, where he faced off against the Ivory Coast men's national basketball team. Yao Ming is considered one of the greatest basketball players in Chinese history.
Conclusion
The Ivory Coast men's national basketball team has a rich history in international basketball and has produced several notable players throughout its history. With a current roster of talented players and an experienced coach, the team is poised to continue its success in future competitions.
