Young African basketball stars converge for landmark Nairobi showpiece

The collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone V also carries a commercial dimension, with the partners seeking to attract brands and organisations to support the growth of basketball and engage with its expanding audience across the region.

Under-19 All-Star team pose for a photo in a past event. Photo by Basil Ogembo/Citizen Digital.

Nairobi will provide the stage for a new chapter in African youth basketball when an inaugural Under-19 All-Star team featuring some of the continent’s emerging talents makes its debut at the 2026 East Africa Basketball Club Championship (EABCC).

The select side, formed through a partnership between AfriqueU and FIBA Africa Zone V, will bring together promising players from eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The team will compete at the championship scheduled for December 1–6 at the Nyayo Indoor Gymnasium in Nairobi, offering the selected youngsters an opportunity to test themselves against regional competition while gaining exposure to a wider basketball audience.

Unlike conventional national or club selections, the All-Star initiative seeks to assemble individual talents from different basketball programmes into one team, creating an opportunity for young players to showcase their abilities on a regional stage.

The partnership agreement was signed on October 25 in Tanzania during the closing ceremony of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone V Qualifiers.

Player identification and scouting have been undertaken by AfriqueU under the technical direction of coach Corey Gaines, who is overseeing the talent assessment and team development process. FIBA Africa Zone V will, however, retain responsibility for player eligibility and approval of the final 12-player roster.

AfriqueU will also facilitate the team’s participation, including travel, accommodation, uniforms, medical support and other logistical requirements.

The initiative comes at a time when creating clear development pathways for young African basketball players remains an important part of the sport’s growth, particularly in providing opportunities for emerging talent to access international exposure.

Beyond the competition itself, the All-Star programme is intended to connect promising players with coaches, scouts and other stakeholders who could open doors to opportunities in the wider basketball ecosystem.

AfriqueU, through its player development and athlete pathway programmes, has identified the United States collegiate system and other international basketball markets as key opportunities for African talent.

The collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone V also carries a commercial dimension, with the partners seeking to attract brands and organisations to support the growth of basketball and engage with its expanding audience across the region.

For the selected players, however, the immediate task will be to make an impression when they assemble in Nairobi in December, with the inaugural All-Star appearance offering a platform to demonstrate the depth of young basketball talent across Africa.