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  Côte d’Ivoire

  Liga Endesa 2026: Matt Costello and Valencia Basket crowned Spanish champions

  Valencia Basket has written a new chapter in club history by winning the 2025-26 Liga Endesa championship. The Taronja completed an incredible campaign with a dominant 108-84 victory over FC Barcelona Bàsquet in the decisive final game, securing the club’s second Spanish league title. At the heart of Valencia’s historic triumph was Ivorian international Matt Costello, whose versatility, defensive presence and shooting ability made him a valuable piece of Pedro Martínez’s championship roster. A historic season for Valencia Basket The Liga Endesa title completed a dream domestic campaign for Valencia. Earlier in the season, the club captured the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa ACB), achieving the first-ever domestic double for its men’s first team. Valencia also made history in Europe by reaching the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time ever, establishing itself among the elite teams of European basketball. Matt Costello’s championship impact Throughout the Liga Endesa season, Costello provided consistency and balance to Valencia’s frontcourt. In 38 league appearances, the Ivorian big man averaged: 7.5 points 4.1 rebounds 0.7 blocks 0.9 assists 0.8 steals His efficiency was one of his biggest strengths, finishing the season with a 60.1% effective field goal percentage, proving his ability to score efficiently inside while stretching defenses with his three-point shooting. Costello finished the campaign with 280 total points, 154 rebounds and 48 made three-pointers, giving Valencia a modern frontcourt presence capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Valencia overcomes Barcelona in a statement Finals series Valencia’s road to the championship required resilience. After overcoming Joventut Badalona in the semifinals, the Taronja faced powerhouse FC Barcelona in the Finals. Barcelona won a thrilling Game 1 by a single point (113-112), but Valencia responded immediately with a dominant 102-75 victory in Game 2. The team then took control of the series with an 88-80 win in Game 3. The championship-clinching Game 4 was a statement performance. Valencia overwhelmed Barcelona 108-84 on their home court to secure the title in convincing fashion. After winning the Super Cup, reaching the EuroLeague Final Four and lifting the Liga Endesa trophy, Matt Costello can now officially add another achievement to his résumé:Spanish Champion 2026.

  World
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  Côte d’Ivoire

  Men's U17 FIBA World Cup: Historic winning debut for the Éléphanteaux.

  Côte d’Ivoire made history on the opening day of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026, securing the country’s first-ever win in the competition. The Young Elephants delivered a statement performance by defeating Venezuela 74-63 in Group D, bringing pride to the nation and the entire African continent. Leading the way was Jean-Philippe Oka, who produced a standout performance with 18 points, 2 assists and 4 steals. The reigning FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 MVP once again showed his leadership qualities, helping Côte d’Ivoire overcome a competitive Venezuelan team in their historic World Cup debut. “First World Cup game, first win, we can only be happy with the work we have done with these kids over the last two years,” said Moussa Diarra, President of the Ivorian Basketball Federation. For the federation, the victory represents the reward of a long-term youth development project designed to build a pathway toward the senior national team. Head coach Eric Anderson Affi, who guided Côte d’Ivoire to the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 title, was proud of his team’s achievement. “With this win, we are making history and I’m proud to be part of it with these kids,” Affi said, while emphasizing that the team must maintain the same mentality in the upcoming games. The victory is more than just a result; it reflects the growth of Ivorian youth basketball. Omar Mangassouba highlighted the importance of the preparation behind the success, explaining that months of training, film sessions and hard work are now paying off on the biggest stage. Carlo Vieira, general manager of the national team program, believes this achievement sends a powerful message to young players in Côte d’Ivoire and around the world. “The work started two or three years ago and now we can see the results. These kids show that dreams are possible,” he said. However, Côte d’Ivoire’s mission is far from complete. After their historic opening win, the Young Elephants will continue their Group D campaign against Australia on June 28 and Serbia on June 30, aiming to create even more history in Istanbul. With Côte d’Ivoire also preparing to host the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2026, the country’s basketball program is entering a new era with the ambition of developing a generation capable of competing consistently at the highest international level.

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  Africa

  FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Côte d’Ivoire vs Senegal headlines the must - watch games of Window 3

  The third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers promises to be a crucial moment in the race for qualification. From July 2 to July 5, 2026, Africa’s top basketball nations will battle to strengthen their position and move closer to securing a place at the global tournament. Among the most anticipated matchups is the regional showdown between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, scheduled to take place in Dakar. After a perfect start to their campaign with a 3-0 record, the Elephants enter the window full of confidence and currently sit at the top of Group B. Côte d’Ivoire already made a strong statement during the first window in February, defeating Senegal 90-80 in Dakar in a major upset. The Elephants showed composure under pressure and proved they can compete against one of Africa’s traditional basketball powers. Senegal, however, will be looking for revenge on home soil. The Lions currently sit second in Group B with a 2-1 record and know that this matchup could have major implications in the battle for the top positions and qualification to the next round. The Côte d’Ivoire-Senegal clash is part of a strong lineup of games during the third window, featuring several important continental matchups including , and other games that could reshape the standings across the different groups. Led by head coach , Côte d’Ivoire arrives with a balanced squad featuring international players and top performers from the domestic league. The objective is clear: maintain their momentum, protect their position at the top of the group, and take another step toward the 2027 World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire vs Senegal DR Congo vs Côte d’Ivoire Côte d’Ivoire vs Madagascar After the home-and-away group phase, the top three teams from each group will advance to the second round. Results from the first phase will carry over before teams play six additional games against opponents from the other groups. The two best teams from each second-round group, along with the best third-place team, will qualify for the , with Africa receiving . Currently ranked , Côte d’Ivoire continues its rise on the international stage and aims to confirm its place among the continent’s basketball elite. The Elephants now face a major test in Dakar — a game that could define their World Cup qualification journey.

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  Côte d’Ivoire

  Men's U17 World Cup: The "Éléphanteaux" continue their preparations in France ahead of Türkiye.

  With the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup just around the corner, Côte d’Ivoire’s young Elephants are continuing their preparation campaign ahead of the tournament scheduled from June 27 to July 5 in Turkey. The reigning African U16 champions are preparing for their first-ever appearance at the U17 World Cup. Led by head coach Anderson Affi, the Ivorian squad is currently training in France, focusing on tactical development, technical improvement and physical preparation as they get ready to compete against the best young teams in the world. During their preparation camp, Côte d’Ivoire has already played two friendly games against Switzerland’s U18 national team. The Elephants secured a first victory 96-83 before falling narrowly in the second matchup 99-95 after a competitive battle. The next challenge awaits this Saturday, June 13, when Côte d’Ivoire faces France’s U17 national team at the Astroballe arena in Lyon. The game will provide another important test against a French squad coached by basketball legend Tony Parker, as the Elephants continue building momentum before the World Cup. Drawn into Group D alongside Venezuela, Australia and Serbia, Côte d’Ivoire will look to make history and proudly represent Africa during its first-ever appearance on the global U17 stage.

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  Africa

  2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: The Elephants Kick Off their Preparations for Second Qualifying Window

  After an outstanding first qualifying window that saw Côte d’Ivoire finish with a perfect 3-0 record in Group B during the February games in Senegal, the Elephants are now preparing for the second stage of their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 qualification campaign. Head coach Miguel Hoyo Ramos and his players have settled in Tunis, Tunisia, for preparation ahead of the return window scheduled for July 2-5, 2026 in Dakar, Senegal. Players are joining the national team camp gradually, including several domestic league standouts such as Jonathan Cissé, Kra Ulrich, William Babatunde, Moussa Koné and Ismaël Diarra. The roster also includes international-based players such as Traoré Aboubakar, Sydney Hawmmond, Amadou Sidibé, Junior Ouattara and Alexandre Lomby, who compete mainly in the French basketball system. FIBA has announced Côte d’Ivoire’s schedule for the upcoming window: Thursday, July 2, 2026 – 18:00 GMT: Côte d’Ivoire vs Senegal Saturday, July 4, 2026 – 15:00 GMT: DR Congo vs Côte d’Ivoire Sunday, July 5, 2026 – 15:00 GMT: Côte d’Ivoire vs Madagascar Following their perfect start, the Elephants will look to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the qualification race. After the home-and-away group phase, the top three teams from each group will advance to the second round, where results will carry over before six additional games against teams from the other groups. To qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, teams must finish among the top two in their second-round group or claim the best third-place position. Africa will have available for the global tournament. Currently ranked , Côte d’Ivoire continues to build on its recent progress and aims to represent the continent with pride on the international stage. The preparation continues as the Elephants chase their dream of reaching the 2027 World Cup.

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  Côte d’Ivoire

  Ligue d’Or 2026: JCA Kings edge ABC in dramatic Game 3 to secure back - to - back national titles

  JCA Kings are once again the kings of Ivorian basketball. In a thrilling 2026 Playoff Finals series that went down to the wire, JCA defeated Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) 55-54 in the decisive Game 3 on Monday, June 8, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville to capture their second consecutive Côte d’Ivoire championship. The Finals delivered everything fans could have hoped for. JCA claimed Game 1 70-69, but ABC responded in Game 2 with a 74-68 victory to force a winner-take-all showdown. In a tense defensive battle, the Kings held their nerve in the closing moments, producing the decisive plays of the game to secure a one-point victory and the championship. The standout performer of the series was Jonathan Cissé, who was named Finals MVP. The talented guard recorded 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists in Game 1, followed by 23 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in Game 2. In the championship-clinching Game 3, he added 12 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists, once again delivering when his team needed him most. Having already lifted the National Cup earlier this season, JCA completed an impressive domestic double by adding the league title to its trophy cabinet. The championship secures the Kings' place in the qualification stages of the 2027 Basketball Africa League (BAL), where they will aim to continue their rise on the continental stage.