2026 Basketball Africa League champions RSSB Tigers began a residential training camp on Wednesday, September 9, as they intensified preparations for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, scheduled for September 22–27 in Beijing, China.
The Rwandan club earned Africa’s place at the tournament after winning its first BAL championship in Kigali in late May.
The team will open its Intercontinental Cup campaign against Lithuania’s Rytas Vilnius on September 22, before taking on hosts Shanghai Sharks the following day.
Five of the six participating teams will make their debut in the competition, including the Tigers. Rytas Vilnius, Shanghai Sharks, Beijing Royal Fighters and Brazilian side Boca Juniors will also appear at the tournament for the first time.
NBA G League United are the only team in this year’s field with previous Intercontinental Cup experience, having reached the final twice.
The semi-finals and fifth-place game are scheduled for September 26, with the final and third-place playoff set for September 27.
Since the competition adopted its current six-team format in 2023, European clubs have dominated the tournament. Spain’s Unicaja have won the title twice, while Brazil’s Sesi Franca became the first and only Americas-based team to win the trophy under the current format when they triumphed in 2023.
RSSB Tigers roster
The Tigers’ final roster for the tournament includes Ntore Habimana, Paul Bizimana, David Mutabazi, Steven Hagumintwari, Tyler Bey, Nisre Zouzoua, Lars Licken Ishimwe, Craig Randall II, Teafale Lenard Jr, Jonathan Hamilton, Hubert Sage Kwizera, Dieudonné Ndizeye, Axel Mpoyo, Osborn Shema and Antino Jackson.
For the Tigers, the tournament represents another opportunity to put Rwandan basketball on the international stage after their historic BAL triumph earlier this year.
