Rivers Hoopers have completed the signing of Congo DR national team captain Maxi Munanga Shamba ahead of season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) which tips off on 5 April in Rabat, Morocco.
Since the 2017 Afrobasket tournament in Rwanda, Shamba has been a crucial member of the Congolese national team.
The 31 year old point guard also featured in the former club competition for men (FIBA Africa Champions Cup) before it transitioned to the BAL, for Lupopo (DR Congo), Zamalek (Egypt) and Association Sportive de Sale (Morocco) in 2009, 2013 and 2017 respectively.
Shamba, who currently plays in France, averaged 12.7 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 6.7 assists per game at the 2021 Afrobasket.
Shamba guided DR Congo to a remarkable 65-55 victory over Morocco during the 2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers in February. In 20 minutes, he managed to score 15 points and hit 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc.
The new Rivers Hoopers signees can be seen below
Maxi Munanga Shamba – Point Guard (Congo DR)
Kelvin Amayo – Combo Guard (Nigeria/Canada)
Madut Akec – Small Forward (South Sudan)
Raphiael Putney – Power Forward (USA)
Peter Olisemeka – Center (Nigeria)
