Basketball: who are the new hopes of Cameroon?

For four days (2-5 July 2026), Douala recaptured the atmosphere of epic African basketball nights. In a Japoma multisport complex turned fortress, the Indomitable Lions perfectly navigated the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers. Three games, three wins: first against Cape Verde (82-72), then against Libya (86-76), before finishing by defeating South Sudan (78-74).

This flawless run allows the men of Alfred Aboya to finish at the top of group A and secure their qualification for the next round of the Africa zone qualifiers, which will bring together the twelve best teams on the continent. For the green-red-yellow nation, this campaign confirmed the rise of a disciplined squad, able to make its fans dream again. While key players like Fabien Ateba lived up to their status, this window above all shone a light on several players expected to carry Cameroon's ambitions for the long term. Among them, four particularly stood out.

Tamenang Choh, the Swiss Army knife

For this international campaign with Cameroon, Tamenang Choh once again showed all that has built his reputation. The 1.95 m forward finished the Douala window averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 0.7 steals in 25.7 minutes. Beyond the numbers, it was most of all his ability to contribute in every area of the game that caught observers' eyes. Diligent defender, occasional creator and opportunistic scorer, he continuously provided solutions to the Cameroonian team.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts (United States), Choh developed in the demanding Ivy League for Brown University, where he finished among the best players in his conference. After a noteworthy spell in the Summer League with the Houston Rockets, he began his professional career in Bulgaria before joining the Canterbury Rams in New Zealand, where this season he is averaging 20.4 points and 8.2 rebounds. His consistency now offers Cameroon a modern forward, able to play in multiple positions and bridge defense and offense.

Jeremiah Hill, the Lions' offensive leader

If you had to name the main architect of Cameroon's perfect record, Jeremiah Hill would be among the first names mentioned. The Richmond (United States) native fulfilled his role as offensive leader with impressive consistency. The point guard averaged 16,6 points, 3 rebounds and 5,6 assists, ending as Cameroon's top scorer in the competition. His performance against South Sudan, in which he scored 22 points, symbolized his ability to take charge when the pressure rises.

At 30, Hill brings above all a valuable experience to this team. Having played in Kazakhstan, Russia, Spain then France, where he now plays for Élan Chalon, the former MVP of the Kazakh league built his reputation for a long time away from the African spotlight. " His sense of tempo, his reading of the game and his natural leadership now make him the true conductor of the Indomitable Lions ", they say about him at the Cameroonian Basketball Federation.

Samir Gbetkom, the livewire

The Cameroonian public was already aware of his potential. In Douala, Samir Gbetkom confirmed it against top-tier opponents. Over the three games played in Douala, the Cameroonian guard averaged 10 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in almost 20 minutes per game. His ability to alternate between attacking the basket and shooting from outside regularly allowed Cameroon to make the difference when opposing defenses tightened.

Having played for Le Portel, Gries, Vichy, Chalon and now Antibes, where he is rising through the ranks in French Pro B, Gbetkom has built a reputation as a player able to change the course of a game. His 34-point playoff game in France's second division remains a reference. At just 24, he already possesses solid high-level experience despite his young age. His complementarity with Jeremiah Hill now gives Cameroon one of the most promising backcourts on the continent.

Jordan Bayehe, power at work

In the paint, Jordan Bayehe established himself as one of the anchors of the Cameroonian setup. In a team focused on fast play, he brought the crucial stability under the rim. The 2.04 m center finished this international window averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists per game. His impact goes far beyond the stats: presence in rebounding, rim protection, screens and physical battle allowed Cameroon to compete with opponents known for their power, especially South Sudan.

At 25, Bayehe is already one of the most promising Cameroonian big men in European basketball. Playing for Trento, he has emerged this season with 32 games and averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in one of Europe's toughest leagues, the Italian Serie A. And 8.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in the EuroCup.

His progress perfectly illustrates the new Cameroonian generation: players developed abroad, battle-hardened in the best European leagues and now able to bring this experience to the national team. In Douala, Bayehe confirmed he would be one of the pillars of the Lions in the quest for Cameroon's first FIBA World Cup qualification in several decades.