Last year, Cape Verde stunned all of Africa, earning a Bronze medal in Angola, and along with it the right to play in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, Greece. This year’s African Tournament, held in Libya, would not result in such glory for Cape Verde, no recreation of a Cinderella story. Cape Verde started strong with a win over Tunisia, but then suffered two key close losses to tough teams, before finishing strong with two dominant wins to place 13th. 13th in all of Africa for a team from a tiny island nation is not bad, but it is not taking home dazzling medal hardware either.
Jeff Xavier, playing in just his 3rd international tournament after graduating from Providence College, continues to pace Cape Verde offensively. Xavier had a staggering 35 points off 8 3’s in one contest, to go with 5 assists and 5 rebounds for the lightning quick, 6′1″ shooting guard.
Adding to the scoring, both in double digits, were Captain, guard Mario Correia, and longtime veteran guard Marques Houtmann. Both Correia and Houtmann have played professionally in Portugal and Angola, and Houtmann also played one season of U.S. minor league ball in the ABA.
The loss to Morocco, perenially one of Africa’s top teams and a team that has enjoyed good FIBA rankings, was a down-to-the-wire, razor thin margin of 86-83.
Blowout wins to finish the tourney strong, over Congo-Brazaville, 100-63, and Mozambique, 94-61, should give Cape Verde confidence.
Cape Verde typically competes in 2-3 major international tournaments a year (earning a Silver Medal in the Lusophone Games in Portugal last month), as well as hosting friendly contests against national teams such as Senegal. The team has been involved in events in recent years, some aligned with the U.N., that have brought NBA players to Cape Verde to provide free youth camps. The vast majority of the team players are professional basketball players, most currently playing in either Portugal or Angola. Several of the players on the roster were stars at U.S. colleges and Universities: Mario Correia: Bryant University, (NCAA DII); Marques Houtmann: Stonehill College (DII)/U-Mass Amherst (DI); Tony Barros: U-Mass Boston (DIII); and Jeff Xavier (Providence College: DI). In order to compete, players must be either Cape Verdean, or Cape Verdean American, able to prove that at least one Grand-Parent was born in Cape Verde.
Go, Cape Verde!
