Ruphin Kayembe's double-double lands him Player of the Week award among Congolese playing currently abroad:

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Congolese who are currently playing abroad.

Ruphin Kayembe

   #1. This week's number one is an international power forward Ruphin Kayembe (201-92, currently plays in France). He could not help ALM Evreux (0-2) in their last game. Despite Kayembe's very good performance ALM Evreux lost 75-82 on the road to the much higher-ranked (#3) Sluc Nancy. He had a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 12 rebounds in 24 minutes on the court. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Kayembe has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 16.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 3.5apg, 2FGP: 57.1%(12-21) and FT: 72.7% in two games he played so far. Kayembe has a dual citizenship: DR Congolese and Belgian. He played for the DR Congolese senior national team one years ago.

Christian Eyenga

   #2. Second place goes to an international small forward Christian Eyenga (201-89, currently plays in Spain). He contributed to a 1-point Baloncesto Fuenlabrada's victory against the 13th-ranked UCAM Murcia (2-3) 75-74 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Eyenga scored 10 points in 22 minutes. Montakit Fuenlabradais placed in the Liga Endesa. Eyenga has very impressive stats this year: 16.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 53.7%, 3FGP: 43.8% and FT: 48.6% in five games. He played for the DR Congolese national team in 2018.

Evariste Shonganya

   #3. The DR Congolese player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Evariste Shonganya (204-92, currently plays in Poland). Shonganya managed to help MKS Dabrowa Gornicza to win against the 14th-ranked BM Slam Stal (0-4) 88-82 in the Polish EBL on Saturday night. He recorded only 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (3-1) is placed seventh in the EBL. But there are still lots of games to play and it's a long way to go. It's Shonganya's first season with the team. Shonganya's overall stats this year are: 5.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 2FGP: 56.3%(9-16) and FT: 33.3%. He is also a member of the DR Congolese senior national team.

Jordan Sakho

   #4. Center Jordan Sakho (209-97, agency: BeoBasket, currently plays in Basketball Champions League) contributed to a La ICL Manresa's victory against the closely-ranked Twarde Pierniki (1-1) 85-81 in the Basketball Champions League in Wednesday night's game. Sakho recorded only 3 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 13 minutes. It was his first game for La ICL Manresa this season. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. His team is placed first in the Basketball Champions League. Sakho has been at the team for four years. He is also DR Congolese national team player.

Omari Gudul

   #5. International forward Omari Gudul (206-94, agency: Octagon Europe, college: Angelo St., currently plays in Romania) was not able to help Craiova in their game against Timisoara (1-1) in the Romanian Liga Nationala. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The third-placed Craiova (0-4) was defeated 84-73 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Timisoara (#6) in the Group A. So far Craiova lost all four games in the Regular Season. Gudul's overall stats this season are: 8.5ppg and 5.0rpg. He used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.

Eric Kibi

   #6. Forward Eric Kibi (198-90, college: Abil.Christian, currently plays in Argentina) was not able to secure a victory for the league outsider Libertad Sunchales (0-7) in their game against Atenas (4-3) in the Argentinian La Liga. Kibi cannot count Tuesday's game as one of the best ones. He recorded only 2 points. Libertad Sunchales (#5) was defeated 79-74 in Cordoba by the higher-ranked Atenas (#4) in the Grupo B group. So far Libertad Sunchales lost all seven games in the Regular Season. Kibi's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Kibi's overall stats this season are: 3.8ppg and 2.9rpg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior DR Congolese National Team roster.

Gullit Mukendi

   #7. International center Gullit Mukendi (203-96, agency: Promo Sport ID, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Villarrobledo (3-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Villarrobledo (#6) lost 83-92 at home to the leading Girona Basquet in the West group. Mukendi was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 2 shots in 27 minutes. Mukendi has relatively good stats this year: 11.5ppg and 2.2rpg in six games. He used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.

Carl Ona-Embo

   #8. Point guard Carl Ona-Embo (188-89, currently plays in France) couldn't help Poitiers (0-2) in their game against Denain Voltaire (2-0) in the French ProB (second division). He scored 5 points in 27 minutes. The bottom-ranked Poitiers lost 71-86 on their home court in Poitiers to the second-ranked Denain Voltaire. This year Ona-Embo's overall stats are: 6.5ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.5apg in two games. Worth to mention Ona-Embo played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. He used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.

Djo Loo Yele

   #9. An experienced international forward Djo Loo Yele (203-82, currently plays in Norway) couldn't help Asker Aliens (0-4) in their game against Gimle BBK (4-3) in the Norwegian BLNO. Loo Yele scored 8 points, had 12 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 31 minutes. The bottom-ranked Asker Aliens lost 72-79 on their home court in Asker to the higher-ranked (#4) Gimle BBK. So far Asker Aliens lost all four games in the Regular Season. Loo Yele is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his eighth year in Asker Aliens' roster. He has very impressive stats this season: 18.0ppg, 12.8rpg, 1.5apg, 2.8bpg and 1.3spg in four games. Loo Yele used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.

Mathieu Kamba

   #10. Guard Mathieu Kamba (196-95, agency: Dynamics Global Management, college: Cent Arkansas, currently plays in Spain) helped Leyma Basquet edge the closely-ranked Magia Huesca (2-2) 66-65 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Friday night. He recorded only one point. Leyma Basquet Coruna (2-2) is placed tenth in the LEB Gold. Kamba's total stats this season are: 6.3ppg and 1.5rpg. He is international player as one years ago he still played for the DR Congolese senior national team.

   #11. International center Herve Kabasele (208-96, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Real Canoe in their game against CB Granada in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division). Kabasele recorded 8 points in only 13 minutes. It was his first game for Real Canoe this season. His team lost 81-92. Kabasele used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.

   #12. International swingman Shekinah Munanga (201-97, currently plays in France) helped GET Vosges win their game against the 14th-ranked Feurs EF crushing them 88-63 in the French NM1 (third division) last Friday. He scored only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. This season Munanga has relatively solid stats: 11.7ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2apg and 1.3bpg. He used to play for the DR Congolese national team last year.


The list of other players, who all have DR Congolese passport but never been selected to any of DR Congolese national teams:

   #1. Experienced Charles Kahudi (199-SF-86, currently plays in France) managed to help ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket to win against the eighth-ranked Pau-Lacq-Orthez (3-2) 76-68 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Sunday. Kahudi scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basketis placed in the Jeep ELITE ProA. It's Kahudi's fifth season with the team. His overall stats this year are: 6.0ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.3apg. Kahudi has a dual citizenship: DR Congolese and French.

   #2. Viny Okouo (215-C-97, currently plays in Lithuania) led Nevezis to a victory over the closely-ranked Neptunas (2-4) 75-68 in the Lithuanian LKL on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Okouo had a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 25 minutes. Nevezis Kedainiai (2-4) is placed sixth in the LKL. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Okouo has relatively good stats this year: 10.2ppg and 7.7rpg in six games he played so far.

   #3. Henry Pwono (201-F-91, college: East Central, currently plays in Germany) contributed to Braunschweig's victory against the 12th-ranked Mitteldeutscher BC (1-3) 102-88 in the German BBL in Sunday night's game. He recorded 7 points and had 3 steals. Basketball Loewen Braunschweig (4-0) is placed first in the BBL. So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in it's first stage and everything can happen. It's Pwono's first year with the team. Pwono's overall stats this season are: 5.3ppg and 2.7rpg. He is a naturalized American. Strangely Pwono has never played in DR Congo.

   #4. Junior Etou (203-F-94, college: Tulsa, currently plays in France) contributed to a Cholet Basket's victory against the tenth-ranked SIG Strasbourg (2-3) 80-75 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA last Saturday. Etou scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Cholet Basket (5-0) is placed first in the Jeep ELITE ProA. So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season. Etou's overall stats this season are: 6.0ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.2apg.

   #5. Eric Katenda (206-F-92, college: N.Texas, currently plays in Austria) helped Gunners Oberwart edge in an overtime the league outsider Timberwolves (0-4) 92-90 in the Austrian BSL on Saturday night. He recorded 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart (16-2) is placed first in the BSL. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. This year Katenda's overall stats are: 9.8ppg and 4.3rpg in four games. He is another player who holds two passports: DR Congolese and French.

   #6. Cedric Kuakumensah (204-F-93, college: Brown, currently plays in France) helped Souffelweyersheim win their game against the 13th-ranked Saint Chamond crushing them 81-59 in the French ProB (second division) in Saturday night's game. Kuakumensah scored 8 points. Kuakumensah has relatively good stats this season: 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg and 2.0spg. He is a naturalized American. Strangely Kuakumensah has never played in DR Congo.

   #7. Charles Nkaloulou (200-F-94, agency: Promo Sport ID, currently plays in France) could not help Aix-Maurienne (1-1) in their last game. Despite his good performance Aix-Maurienne was badly defeated 80-62 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#6) Gries/Oberhoffen. Nkaloulou was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 7 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls in 30 minutes. Nkaloulou has relatively good stats this year: 13.0ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg in two games.

   #8. Brice Massamba (208-F/C-88, college: UNLV, currently plays in Sweden) helped BC Lulea win their game against the league leader Norrkoping Dolphins 91-85 in the Swedish Basketligan in Tuesday night's game. Massamba scored 6 points in only 13 minutes. This year Massamba's overall stats are: 5.5ppg and 1.5rpg in two games. He has both DR Congolese and Swedish nationalities.

   #9. Kevin Tumba (206-C/F-91, currently plays in Spain) was not able to help UCAM Murcia in their game against Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Tumba cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points in 6 minutes on the court. His team was edged 75-74. This year Tumba's overall stats are: 1.6ppg and 3.4rpg in five games. He also holds two passports: DR Congolese and Belgian.

   #10. Cedric Belemene-Dzabatou (199-F-96, agency: Interperformances, college: Tampa, currently plays in Spain) helped Azuqueca win their game against the 15th-ranked Nautico Tenerife 72-53 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Belemene-Dzabatou scored 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Belemene-Dzabatou has relatively good stats this season: 12.3ppg, 9.5rpg and 1.3spg.