Cape Verde men's national basketball team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Cape Verde women's national basketball team.

Cape Verde

FIBA ranking	45 (25 February 2025) [1]
Joined FIBA	1988
FIBA zone	FIBA Africa
National federation	Federação Cabo-verdiana de Basquetebol
Coach	Emanuel Trovoada
Nickname(s)	Hammer Sharks
FIBA World Cup
Appearances	1
AfroBasket
Appearances	7
Medals	Bronze: (2007)
Home Away

The Cape Verde national basketball team represents Cape Verde in international basketball matches and is administered by the Federação Cabo-verdiana de Basquetebol.

Its greatest accomplishment was the bronze medal at the AfroBasket 2007, where Cape Verde beat Egypt in its last game.

On 26 February 2023, Cape Verde qualified for their first-ever World Cup when they claimed their ticket to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. ^[2] The country became the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup, breaking a record that was held by Montenegro. ^[3]

History

Early development and FIBA affiliation

Basketball in Cape Verde gained structure following independence in 1975, but formal organization only began later with the establishment of the Federação Cabo-verdiana de Basquetebol. The federation joined FIBA in 1988. ^[4]

AfroBasket debut and rise through the ranks

Cape Verde debuted in the AfroBasket in 1997, finishing 7th in the nine-team tournament. They returned in 1999 and steadily improved in subsequent editions. ^[5]

Historic Bronze at AfroBasket 2007

At the 2007 AfroBasket in Angola, Cape Verde stunned Nigeria 62–53 in the quarterfinals, fell to host nation Angola in the semifinals, but recovered to defeat Egypt 53–51 in the third-place match. This secured Cape Verde’s first-ever medal at the continental championship. ^{[6] [7]}

Coaching and AfroBasket continuity

The team was coached by Emanuel Trovoada during the 2007 success. Trovoada returned to lead Cape Verde again from 2017 onwards, guiding them to a 4th-place finish at AfroBasket 2021.

World Cup qualification and historic milestone (2023)

On 26 February 2023, Cape Verde qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time by defeating Ivory Coast in the African qualifiers. With this, Cape Verde became the smallest nation by population ever to reach the World Cup, surpassing Montenegro’s record. ^{[8] [9]}

World Cup debut and first global victory

At the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines, Cape Verde earned their first-ever win on the world stage by defeating Venezuela 81–75. Edy Tavares contributed 14 rebounds along with defensive dominance to secure the victory. ^{[10] [11]}

Key figure: Edy "Walter" Tavares

Since debuting internationally in 2013, Real Madrid center Edy Tavares has been the cornerstone of the national team. He was named to the All-Star Five at AfroBasket 2021 and averaged a double-double during World Cup qualifying, ensuring Cape Verde’s historic debut. ^{[12] [13]}

AfroBasket 2025 performance

At AfroBasket 2025, Cape Verde continued to rely on Tavares, who set a new personal record with 19 rebounds in the group stage. Despite a narrow 81–82 loss to Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde remained in contention for a quarterfinal spot. ^{[14] [15]}

Achievements

• Bronze medal at the 2006 Lusophony Games
• Bronze medal at the AfroBasket 2007
• Silver medal at the 2009 Lusophony Games

Competitive record

FIBA World Cup

Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L
1990	Did not qualify
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2019
2023	Classification round	28th	5	1	4
2027	To be determined
Total		1/10	5	1	4

AfroBasket

  Third place    Fourth place  

Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L
1989	Did not qualify
1992
1993
1995
1997	Classification stage	7th	4	1	3
1999	Preliminary round	9th	6	3	3
2001	Did not qualify
2003
2005
2007	Third place	3rd	6	4	2
2009	Classification rounds	13th	5	3	2
2011	Did not qualify
2013	Quarter-finals	6th	7	4	3
2015	Round of 16	10th	5	3	2
2017	Did not qualify
2021	Fourth place	4th	6	3	3
2025	Qualified
Total			39	21	18

African Games

See also: Basketball at the African Games

• 2011 – 6th

Lusophony Games

See also: Basketball at the Lusophony Games

• 2006 –
• 2009 –
• 2014 – 4th

Team

Current roster

Team for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket. ^[16]

Cape Verde national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. 0 Patrick Lima 30 – (1995-05-02)2 May 1995 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) CB Andujar Jaen Paraiso Interior 1 Anim Delgado 26 – (1999-04-03)3 April 1999 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Jaen Paraiso Interior FS Baloncesto 2 Will Tavares 30 – (1995-07-18)18 July 1995 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) KB Ylli 3 Roesley Sanches 23 – (2002-03-11)11 March 2002 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Jaen Paraiso Interior FS Baloncesto 4 Keven Gomes 29 – (1995-10-29)29 October 1995 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) CB Benicarlo 6 Ivan Almeida 36 – (1989-05-10)10 May 1989 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Kriol Star 8 Anderson Correia 27 – (1997-10-31)31 October 1997 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Kriol Star 9 Joel Almeida 39 – (1985-10-11)11 October 1985 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Kriol Star 10 Kenneti Mendes 34 – (1990-08-17)17 August 1990 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Kriol Star 12 Amarilson Lopes 29 – (1995-08-18)18 August 1995 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Estrela de Santo André 21 Betinho Gomes 40 – (1985-02-05)5 February 1985 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Sport Lisboa e Benfica 22 Edy Tavares 33 – (1992-03-22)22 March 1992 2.21 m (7 ft 3 in) Real Madrid	Head coach Emanuel Trovoada Assistant coach(es) Edmilson Abreu Manuel José Duarte Vieira Legend (C) Team captain nat field describes country of last club before the tournament Age field is age on 12 August 2025

Head coach position

• Carlos Tavares – early 2000s
• Manuel da Costa – early 2000s
• Rui Silva – early 2000s
• Emanuel Trovoada – 2007
• Eric Silva – 2008
• Alex Nwora – 2009–2013 ^[17]
• Antonio Tavares – 2014
• Luis Magalhães – 2015
• Emanuel Trovoada – 2016–2022
• Jorge Rito – 2023 (e.g., AfroCan 2023 & subsequent competitions) ^[18]
• Emanuel Trovoada – 2024–present (returned after 2023 stint by Rito) ^[19]

Past rosters

Team for the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship. ^{[20] [21]}

Cape Verde men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. F 4 Dimitry Coronel 21 – (1992-08-13)13 August 1992 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Maine Univ. G 5 Shane da Rosa 25 – (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Bristol Community College G/F 6 Avey Oliver 29 – (1983-10-12)12 October 1983 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) TV Hohenlimburg G 7 Braima Freire 31 – (1982-01-19)19 January 1982 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Seven Stars G 8 Mário Correia 35 – (1978-03-17)17 March 1978 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Promade Cabinda F 9 Flávio Gomes 24 – (1988-12-26)26 December 1988 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) AngraBasket C 10 Kenneti Mendes 23 – (1990-08-17)17 August 1990 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Prédio SGL C 11 Aldevino Lima 26 – (1986-08-25)25 August 1986 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Northeastern C 12 Edy Tavares 21 – (1992-03-22)22 March 1992 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in) Atlanta Hawks G 13 Brian Rudolph, Jr. 24 – (1988-09-17)17 September 1988 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) Loyola (MD) F 14 Kevin Coronel 21 – (1991-09-03)3 September 1991 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Académica do Mindelo F 15 Rodrigo Mascarenhas 33 – (1980-03-24)24 March 1980 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Mindelo Vets	Head coach Alex Nwora Assistant coach(es) António Tavares Legend Club – describes last club before the tournament Age – describes age on 20 August 2013

Roster for AfroBasket 2021. ^[22]

Cape Verde men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. SF 0 Patrick Lima 26 – (1995-05-02)2 May 1995 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Prédio Basketball PG 4 Jeff Xavier 35 – (1985-09-07)7 September 1985 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Cáceres F 6 Ivan Almeida 32 – (1989-05-10)10 May 1989 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Benfica PG 7 Fidel Mendonça 37 – (1984-07-07)7 July 1984 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Prédio Basketball SG 8 Anderson Correia 23 – (1997-10-31)31 October 1997 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Chamusca SF 9 Joel Almeida 35 – (1985-10-11)11 October 1985 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Kutaisi 2010 PF 10 Kenneti Mendes 31 – (1990-08-17)17 August 1990 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Galitos SF 11 Patrick Abreu 30 – (1991-03-20)20 March 1991 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Prédio Basketball C 13 Sekouba Condé 31 – (1989-12-31)31 December 1989 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Viana C 14 Ailton Lopes 25 – (1995-09-18)18 September 1995 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) CB Clavijo PF 15 Kevin Coronel 29 – (1991-09-03)3 September 1991 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Tarragona C 22 Edy Tavares 29 – (1992-03-22)22 March 1992 2.21 m (7 ft 3 in) Real Madrid	Head coach Emanuel Trovoada Assistant coach(es) Edmilson Abreu Danielson Miranda Legend Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 24 August 2021

Roster for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. ^{[23] [24]}

Cape Verde men's national basketball team – 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. SG 0 Nathan Pires 13 – (2010-07-15)15 July 2010 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) CB Almería PG 5 Shane Da Rosa 35 – (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Providence Pirates F 6 Ivan Almeida 34 – (1989-05-10)10 May 1989 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Benfica PG 7 Fidel Mendonça  (C) 39 – (1984-07-07)7 July 1984 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Prédio Basketball SG 8 Anderson Correia 25 – (1997-10-31)31 October 1997 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Sangalhos DC SF 9 Joel Almeida 37 – (1985-10-11)11 October 1985 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) FAP PF 10 Kenneti Mendes 33 – (1990-08-17)17 August 1990 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) FAP F 13 Will Tavares 28 – (1995-07-18)18 July 1995 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) BC Yambol SF 15 Kevin Coronel 31 – (1991-09-03)3 September 1991 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Portimonense C 16 Keven Gomes 27 – (1995-10-29)29 October 1995 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) FC Porto SF 21 João Gomes 38 – (1985-02-05)5 February 1985 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Benfica C 22 Edy Tavares 31 – (1992-03-22)22 March 1992 2.21 m (7 ft 3 in) Real Madrid	Head coach Emanuel Trovoada Assistant coach(es) Manuel Duarte Danielson Miranda Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 25 August 2023

Kit

Manufacturer

2015 – Peak

2025 – Dhika

Sponsor

2015 – Zap

See also

• Cape Verde women's national basketball team

References

1. "FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
2. "Tavares, Cape Verde celebrate World Cup qualification finishing a historic run". basketnews.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
3. "Cape Verde become smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
4. "Cape Verde Basketball Federation joins FIBA". FIBA . 1988. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
5. "Memories of the 2007 AfroBasket still vivid for Cape Verde". FIBA . 5 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
6. "Cape Verde stun Nigeria at AfroBasket 2007". Criolosports. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
7. "Team Profile: Memories of the 2007 AfroBasket still vivid for Cape Verde". FIBA . 5 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
8. "Cape Verde make history by qualifying for 2023 FIBA World Cup". Sport News Africa. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
9. "Tavares, Cape Verde celebrate World Cup qualification". BasketNews. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
10. "Edy Tavares and Cape Verde make history with win over Venezuela". Eurohoops. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
11. "Edy Tavares putting Cape Verde on the map at the World Cup". FIBA . 30 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
12. "Walter 'Edy' Tavares headlines Cape Verde squad". FIBA . 22 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
13. "Edy Tavares, giant of Cape Verde basketball, makes history at 2023 World Cup". International Olympic Committee . 27 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
14. "Tavares breaks rebound record with Cape Verde". AS (in Spanish). 7 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
15. "AfroBasket challenge for Tavares and Cape Verde". AS (in Spanish). 12 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
16. Cape Verde | 2025 FIBA AfroBasket, FIBA. Retrieved August 2025.
17. Head coaches, fiba.com. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
18. “Leading Cape Verde in Egypt was coach Jorge Rito, who took over the team in 2023…” :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
19. Cape Verde continues under coach Emanuel Trovoada as of the 2023 FIBA World Cup and beyond :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
20. "Cabo Verde". Fcbb.cv. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
21. "Cape Verde Roster". Fcbb.cv. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
22. "Team Roster Cape Verde". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
23. "La plantilla de Cabo Verde para el Mundial de baloncesto 2023: Lista de jugadores y datos del equipo de Edy Tavares". sportingnews.com. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
24. "Team roster: Cape Verde" (PDF). FIBA. 25 August 2023.

External links

• FIBA profile

Videos

• Cote d'Ivoire v Cape Verde – Game Highlights – Group D – AfroBasket 2015 Youtube.com video