College prospect Silva highlights Gabon's preliminary squad
LIBREVILLE (AfroBasket 2015) - Gabon head coach Thierry Bouanga has announced his 21-player preliminary for AfroBasket 2015, and one name couldn't go unnoticed.
LIBREVILLE (AfroBasket 2015) - Gabon head coach Thierry Bouanga has announced his 21-player preliminary squad for the AfroBasket 2015, and one name couldn't go unnoticed.
Chris Silva Obame Correia, an 18-year-old who is working his way to play in the U.S collegiate ranks, has been selected for a three-week training camp to take place next month in Libreville, Gabon.
The athletic 2.08m power forward is known stateside.
He has become a promising star for Gabon over the past few years and is a potential fit for a national team which last played in Africa's elite tournament back in 2005.
Although Silva is not the most prolific of offensive weapons, he uses his physicality well close to the basket.
If all goes according to coach Bouanga's plans, Silva could make his international debut playing along Gabon's most renowned basketball player, Stephane Lasme, who last played for his country a decade ago.
South Carolina coach Frank Martin is in the building. Likely here to see future Gamecock big man Chris Silva #NJhoops #SAvsRC
— Jeremy Schneider (@J_Schneider) January 2, 2015
This past season, Silva averaged 8.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for Roselle Catholic High School, leaving scouts and colleges talking about his potential.
Eventually, the teenager announced he would play for South Carolina University.
Hopefully in 5 weeks I will be in the plane for South Carolina!! #CockNation New History Chapter🎭
— Christ Silva 10 (@SilvaObame) April 27, 2015
Gabon qualified for AfroBasket 2015 by winning a three-team Africa Group G qualifier in Libreville back in March.
Coach Bouanga and Gabon's Basketball Federation are ensuring their return to the international scene lives up to the expectations of their fellow country men and women by picking a combination of veteran and younger generation for the 16-team event taking place in Tunis and Nabeul, Tunisia from 19-30 August.
Therence Mayimba from George Mason University, and a trio of players that featured at AfroBasket 2005 - Jason Reteno, Marius Assoumou Ndong and Fabien Redombina who plays for St Clare in the Phillipines - have also deserved a call up.
Gabon will open their AfroBasket 2015 campaign in Group B against Cameroon, Egypt and Mali.
Gabon preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Marius Assoumou, Rodrigue Atsu, Yannick Belinga, Cabrel Boundou, Chris Silva Obame Correia, Lionel Fabre, Lin Francis Kobangoye, Stephane Lasme, Marvin Joy Mapaga, Gil Therence Mayimba, Lerry Essono Mve, Chris Ndikouedi, Steeve Ndong, Freddy Obame, Darlys Ombago, Emmanuel Ontala, Axe Ossami, Fabien Redombina, Jason Reteno, Sylvere Abessolo Toung and Emeric Wora.
FIBA