A milestone for Ivorian basketball
Côte d'Ivoire etched its name into basketball history this week, securing its first victory at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup with a 74‑63 defeat of Venezuela.
The win was anchored by Jean‑Philippe Oka, who contributed 18 points, two assists and four steals, recalling his recent MVP performance at the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025.
Head coach Eric Anderson Affi praised the team's cohesion and the mindset that carried them through, emphasizing that the triumph is only the beginning.
Moussa Diarra, president of the Ivorian basketball federation, hailed the result as a watershed moment for the sport in the country, noting the inspiration it provides to a new generation of players.
General manager Carlo Vieira added that the victory sends a powerful message to young Ivorians, encouraging them to dream big and pursue basketball at the highest level.
The squad still has two group‑stage fixtures remaining, against Australia on June 28 and Serbia on June 30, before turning its attention to the upcoming FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2026, which Côte d'Ivoire will host in August.
With ambitions of capturing that tournament and earning a spot at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027, the team is poised to build on this momentum and further elevate the nation's basketball profile.