No sneakers, no funding, still competing: Liberia’s U-16 basketball team finishes 10th at Afrobasket

Published: September 12, 2025

MONROVIA — Liberia’s under-16 men’s basketball team wrapped up its first-ever appearance at the FIBA Afrobasket Youth Championship with a 10th-place finish in Kigali, Rwanda, overcoming disqualifications, funding shortfalls and equipment shortages.

The Young Lone Star edged Morocco 74–69 in their final group-stage game Wednesday but lost 80–79 to the same opponent in Thursday’s ninth-place classification match. Liberia led through three quarters before Morocco rallied late to claim the win.

The team competed with only eight players after four were ruled ineligible by FIBA’s mandatory MRI scans, leaving Liberia shorthanded throughout the tournament.

Their problems began even before arriving in Rwanda. The squad left Monrovia on Sept. 2 without government funding for accommodations, meals or allowances, according to Liberia Basketball Association officials.

“It has been four weeks since we submitted the budget,” LBA Secretary General Calvin Diggs told The Liberian Investigator. “We are yet to get any money from the Government of Liberia. It is God that is carrying us through day after day.”

Diggs denied reports that players were stranded but acknowledged the government had not provided support. He said the team stayed in “a very decent hotel” and received three meals daily, but only because of private backing.

The trip was made possible by a US$20,000 donation from Development Oriental Consultant, a firm led by Joseph Boakai Jr., son of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. Budget cuts reduced the delegation from 22 to 17 members, excluding the deputy coach, medic, journalist and other staff.

LBA President Abraham Samukai said the lack of government help left players to supply their own gear.
“The government didn’t give us a cent, and as a result, the players had to play in their own sneakers,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, officials hailed the experience as a breakthrough.
“Finishing 10th in our debut is a great beginning,” Diggs said, adding that the federation hopes the result will spur more investment in youth basketball.

The team is expected back in Monrovia on Monday, Sept. 15.