The popularity of basketball in Rwanda can be seen on courts around the country, and some young players see it as a path to a bigger future.
KIGALI, Rwanda — Dozens of young players sprawl out across a pair of colorful basketball courts at Club Rafiki, a youth center in Kigali, Rwanda. Parents and supporters watch from rows of bleachers.
Bassam played basketball as a child, but began coaching as an adult. He says a lot has changed since then. And some of the kids who he now coaches have aspirations of going pro.Jacques Nkinzingabo for NPR "If I study well, and I get some scholarship outside the country, I go outside to show my talent ... I will be a good player and I would be a good doctor," she says.
"Some who are tall can go to play outside the country, but short ones like me, it's so difficult," she says."Give us an opportunity, the poor ones, to play outside the country to prove our skills. Because even if you are taller than me, I can play better than you. Short ones can play like the taller ones."
"There's a whole lot of excitement around APR because it's been about 14 years since we won a local championship," says Lt. David Nsengiyumva, APR's assistant manager."And that really hyped up everybody. And now that we get to represent the country in the BAL, it's a huge honor for us.
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