Here is the weekly review of the top performing DR Congolese players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international center
Jordan Sakho (207-1997, agency:
BeoBasket, currently plays in Spain). He contributed to a 2-point
Breogan's victory against one of league's weakest teams Obradoiro (8-17)
80-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night.
Sakho scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 16 minutes on the court.
Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (12-11) is placed eighth in the Liga Endesa.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Sakho averages: 4.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 2FGP: 57.1%(40-70) and FT: 52.2% in 23 games he played so far.
He played for the DR Congolese senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international swingman
Shekinah Munanga (201-1997, currently plays in France). Munanga was the major contributor in an
ALM Evreux's victory against the tenth-ranked Saint Vallier (12-13) crushing them
88-61 in the French ProB (second division) in Friday night's game.
He recorded 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
ALM Evreux Basket (4-3) is placed second in the ProB.
Munanga's overall stats this season are: 9.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 2FGP: 60.9%(78-128), 3FGP: 33.3% and FT: 60.9%.
He played for the DR Congolese national team in 22.
#3. The DR Congolese player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward
Jonathan Kasibabu (203-1996, college:
Fairfield, currently plays in France). Kasibabu led
Nantes to a victory over the closely-ranked Saint-Quentin (14-10)
87-74 in the French ProB (second division) in Tuesday night's game.
He was MVP of the game. Kasibabu recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in 21 minutes; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Hermine Nantes Atlantique (8-4) is placed second in the ProB.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This year Kasibabu's overall stats are: 8.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 2FGP: 52.8%, 3FGP: 31.6% and FT: 71.1% in 23 games.
He played for the DR Congolese national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Eric Kibi (198-1990, college:
ACU, currently plays in Chile) was the main contributor in
Tinguiririca's victory against the sixth-ranked Espanol de Talca (1-9)
80-76 in the Chilean Liga Nacional last Saturday.
Kibi was the best player in that game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 11 rebounds.
CD Tinguiririca San Fernando (4-11) is placed 11th in the Liga Nacional.
Kibi has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 19.5ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.3apg and 1.5spg.
Kibi has a dual citizenship: DR Congolese and Canadian.
He used to play for the DR Congolese national team
back in 21.
#5. Former international guard
Mathieu Kamba (196-1995, college:
Cent Arkansas, currently plays in Spain) contributed to
Oviedo's victory against the 16th-ranked Prat (9-17)
77-65 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) on Thursday night.
Kamba scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 25 minutes.
Unicaja Banco Oviedo (15-11) is placed fifth in the LEB Gold.
Kamba has relatively good stats this year: 12.0ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.1apg in 27 games.
He is another player who holds two passports: DR Congolese and Canadian.
Kamba used to play for the DR Congolese national team
years ago.
#6. Forward
Henry Pwono (198-1991, college:
ECU, currently plays in Luxembourg) contributed to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Racing (4-20) crushing them
89-67 in the Luxembourg LBBL last Saturday.
He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 13 rebounds. Pwono also added 4 assists and 3 steals in 40 minutes.
BC Musel Pikes (9-14) is placed second in Play-Out group.
Pwono has very impressive stats this year: 20.2ppg, 11.2rpg, 4.2apg and 1.2bpg in nine games.
He is a naturalized American.
Pwono is a former international player as he played for the DR Congolese senior team year ago.
Strangely he has never played in DR Congo.
#7. An experienced former international forward
Djo Loo Yele (203-1982, currently plays in Norway) managed to help Kongsberg Miners to win against the closely-ranked Gimle BBK (19-8)
90-82 in the Norwegian BLNO in Sunday night's game.
Loo Yele recorded only one point.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Kongsberg Miners (19-7) is placed fourth in the BLNO.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Loo Yele's total stats this season are: 7.0ppg, 3.9rpg and 1.2apg.
He used to play for the DR Congolese national team
years ago.
#8. Point guard
Carl Ona-Embo (188-1989, currently plays in France) contributed to
Caen's victory against the seventh-ranked Lorient (2-8)
67-63 in the French NM1 (third division) last Saturday.
He scored 6 points in 28 minutes.
Caen Basket Calvados (4-9) is placed ninth in Group A.
They ended the series of five consecutive loses.
This year Ona-Embo's total stats are: 5.0ppg, 2.1rpg and 2.3apg in 26 games.
Worth to mention Ona-Embo played also at
Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. Despite he played previously for the French U20 national team, Ona-Embo is currently in the DR Congolese national team roster.
#9. Former international swingman
Ron Mvouika (196-1991, college:
St.John's, currently plays in Germany) contributed to a
Rhein Stars' surprising victory against the second-ranked Wolmirstedt (15-7)
89-85 in the German ProB (third division) on Saturday night.
He scored 12 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Rhein Stars Koeln (7-15) is placed 11th in North group.
The Regular Season already ended.
Mvouika has averaged so far 10.0ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.3apg.
He used to play for the DR Congolese national team
years ago.
#10. Center
Gullit Mukendi (203-1996, agency:
Promo Sport ID, currently plays in Spain). He could not help
Jairis (22-5) to beat Paterna (7-2).
Mukendi was the top scorer with 8 points. He also added 5 rebounds.
The second-placed Jairis (22-5) was defeated
62-58 at home by the second-ranked Paterna in the Group Eclasif.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This season Mukendi has relatively solid stats: 11.4ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.1apg.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the DR Congolese senior national team.
The list of other players, who all have DR Congolese passport but never been selected to any of DR Congolese national teams: #1. Experienced
Wen Boss Mukubu (198-SF-1983, college:
UAB, currently plays in BNXT-League) led his Belgian team
Kangoeroes to a victory over the closely-ranked Den Bosch (1-3)
84-66 in the BNXT League in Saturday night's game.
He was MVP of the game. Mukubu scored 26 points (!!!), had 5 boards, passed 3 assists and added 4 steals in 29 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen (3-0) is placed second in the BNXT League.
So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season.
Mukubu has relatively good stats this year: 10.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 3.2apg and 2.0spg in 21 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: DR Congolese and Belgian.
#2. Jonathan Kuminga (198-F-2002, agency:
Verus Management, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a
Golden State Warriors' victory against the Miami Heat (48-28)
118-104 in the NBA last Wednesday.
Kuminga recorded 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
The Golden State Warriors have a solid 49-28 record this season.
Kuminga has relatively good stats this year: 9.5ppg and 3.4rpg.
#3. Bismack Biyombo (206-PF-1992, currently plays in NBA) helped
Phoenix Suns win their game against the Philadelphia 76ers (46-28)
114-104 in the NBA last Sunday.
Biyombo scored 6 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 17 minutes.
The Phoenix Suns have a very good 61-14 record this season.
It was his team's eighth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Biyombo's overall stats are: 5.6ppg and 4.4rpg in 31 games.
#4. Nicola Akele (203-F-1995, college:
URI, currently plays in Italy). He could not help
Treviso to beat Cremona (1-3).
Akele scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
His team was defeated
74-67 on the road by the second-ranked Cremona.
Akele's overall stats this season are: 6.5ppg and 4.6rpg.
He is another player who holds two passports: DR Congolese and Italian.
#5. Jerome Kalenga Ntsourou (203-F-2006, currently plays in Adidas Next Generation Tournament) helped his Italian team
RO SAzzurra win their game against the closely-ranked Promitheas (0-4) crushing them
73-49 in the ANGT in Saturday night's game.
He recorded 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Stellazzurra Roma U18 team (4-0) is placed first in the ANGT.
So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season.
The Regular Season already ended in the ANGT.
This season Ntsourou has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.1apg.
#6. Junior Etou (201-F-1994, college:
Tulsa, currently plays in Israel) was not able to help
Hapoel Beer Sheva in their game against Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Winner League. Etou cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
His team was crushed by 27 points
80-53.
This season Etou has relatively solid stats: 13.5ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.3apg.
#7. Brandon Kuba (201-F-1998, currently plays in Switzerland) helped
Geneve win their game against one of league's weakest teams Monthey
68-65 in the Swiss SBL in Saturday night's game.
He scored 6 points in 23 minutes.
This year Kuba's total stats are: 4.6ppg and 1.7rpg in 16 games.
He has both DR Congolese and Swiss nationalities.
#8. Charles Nkaloulou (200-F-1994, agency:
Promo Sport ID, currently plays in France) managed to help Sluc Nancy Basket Pro to win against one of league's weakest teams Boulazac Basket
84-73 in the French ProB (second division) last Saturday.
Nkaloulou recorded only 2 points.
Nkaloulou's total stats this season are: 4.5ppg and 2.4rpg.
#9. L'Hassane Niangane (208-C-1994, college:
Gardner-Webb, currently plays in France) was not able to secure a victory for
Orchesien BC in their game against Vitre in the French NM1 (third division).
He recorded only 4 points in 10 minutes.
His team was edged
66-65.
This year Niangane's total stats are: 2.5ppg and 2.1rpg in 30 games.
He also holds two passports: DR Congolese and French.
#10. Gracin Bakumanya (211-C-1997, agency:
Duran International, currently plays in Spain) helped
Zamora win their game against the eighth-ranked Navarra
83-75 in the Spanish LEB Silver (third division) in Saturday night's game.
Bakumanya scored only 2 points in 8 minutes on the court.
Bakumanya has averaged so far 6.1ppg and 4.9rpg in 14 games.
