Pay television broadcaster, StarTimes, is set to broadcast the 209 FIBABasketball World Cup from tomorrow 31 August to 15 September.
The extended tournament which will be taking place for the first time in China will bring together 32 teams where Africa is be represented by Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia.
Tournament favorites – USA – will feature a young roster to China led by Kemba Walker (Boston) and Khris Middleton (Milwaukee). But they will face a powerful Serbia headed by Nikola Jokic (Denver), eager for a return match after losing the final of the 2016 Olympics to the United States.
Spain, France and even host China could also be a threat to a US victory.
StarTimes Regional Marketing Director Aldrine Nsubuga says: “We are excited to spice our sports offering further by not only catering for the soccer fans but equally extending premium tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup to the basketball lovers in Kenya.”
Angola will kick off the tournament against Serbia at 10:30am on StarTimes Sports Focus, while Nigeria will face Russia at 11:30am on Sports Premium.
Hosts China will then face Cote d’Ivoire at 3pm on Sports Premium channel.
Africa’s history in the competition is a checkered one, with Egypt finishing fifth out of 11 teams at the first competition in 1950. Thereafter the continent had to wait until 1974 before another African team would participate at the showpiece.
Since then, although at least one African team has qualified for the round of last-16 in the last few tournaments, that is as far as they got.
The highest-ranked African team in the competition is Nigeria, who will be participating with plenty of experience, having several current and former NBA players.
Focus will be on 6’9” forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who last month signed a $29 million three-year contract with the Orlando Magic after leaving the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds this season.
Other stars in the side are 35-year-old Ike Diogu, who spent seven years in the NBA before moving to Asia, where he currently plays for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japan, as well as Minnesota Timberwolves’ Joshua Okogie.
The shooting guard Okogie is, together with coach Alexander Nwora’s son Jordan, the youngest player in the squad at 20.
Tunisian Salah Mejri, who was released by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year, will be looking to put in some solid performances in Group C against Spain, Puerto Rico and Iran to find a new club.
Apart from the FIBA World Cup 2019, StarTimes are also the exclusive broadcasters of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League, the French Ligue 1 and the German top-flight football, among other top sports content from around the globe.
