We are recalling all foreign players that have ever played in the League, telling about foreign championships and National teams of different countries in World basketball map project. Today we will tell about basketball in DR Congo.
Population: 89.5 mln
Players in the history of League: 1
Full list of players: Thomas Massamba.
Thomas Massamba was the only to represent the fourth populated African country. The guard was born in Kinshasa, the capital city, then moved to Sweden where in 2005 (aged 20), started his professional career.
In 2013/14 season, Massamba signed with Nymburk and played a total of 18 games in VTB League averaging 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Apart from Czech Republic and Sweden, Massamba played in the leagues of Cyprus, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Poland and Kosovo. Earlier this week, 35-year-old guard signed with Phoenix Brussels from Belgium.
Basketball in DR Congo
League: Division 1
Founded: –
Number of teams: 25
League’s web-site: –
Congolese league is one of the largest in the world with 25 teams participating.
The most popular club of the country ASB Mazembe of Lubumbashi took the national cup 9 times and represents DR Congo in Africa Basketball League, African top tier club competition.
In 2009 and 2010, ASB Mazembe took the 4th place in Africa Basketball League, and last season were the only Congolese team to participate in the new BAL (Basketball Africa League).
Moreover, in Africa Basketball League there are 3 more clubs from Congo: ASB Kauka (2007), BC Onatra (2006-2008) and Lupopo (2008).
Interesting fact
In 1997, the most famous player in history of Congo Dikembe Mutombo set up a foundation in Atlanta. Dikembe Mutombo Foundation was aimed to improve healthcare, education and quality of life for people of DR Congo. 8 years later, Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital named after Mutombo’s mother was opened in Kinshasa.
DR Congo National team
FIBA rank: 89
FIBA members: since 1963
Achievements: 6 Afrobasket participations (1974, 1975, 1980, 1995, 2007, 2017)
The Leopards as they call Congolese national team, only have 6 appearances at the Afrobasket.
Their best result was achieved in 1975. At that cup in Egypt, Zair (former DR Congo name) national team won 2 games and took 4th place of 6.
Three other times – 1974, 1980 and 2017 – the Leopards took 6th place. In the 2017 Afrobasket, DR Congo were beaten in quarterfinals by Tunisia (60:81) who later won the golden medals.
Today DR Congo are ranked 89th by FIBA (11th of 38 African teams).
The most famous DR Congo players in history
Dikembe Mutombo. 1991 NBA draft no. 4, 8-time All-Star Game participant, 4-time defensive player of the year. Mutombo’s jersey no. 55 was retired by Denver and Atlanta.
Bismack Biyombo. 2011 NBA draft no. 7. So far, Biyombo has 9 seasons (636 games) and 3273 points.
Emmanuel Mudiay. 2015 NBA draft no. 7, participant of McDonald’s All-American (2014). As of today, Mudiay has a record of 5 seasons (294 games) and 3252 points.
Christian Eyenga. Ex-Cleveland and Lakers guard, played 2 seasons in the NBA (51 games from 2010 to 2012). Plus, Eyenga played in Euroleague (Joventut 2008-09 and Zielona Gora 2013-14) and participated in the Italian league 2015 All Star Game.
Jonathan Kuminga. Emmanuel Mudiay’s cousin, one of the most talented basketball players in the world as of today. 17-year-old Kuminga is believed to be 2021 NBA draft no. 1 pick. Soon, the Congolese will have to choose the university to represent in the NCAA.
Dmitriy Kolinov
