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River Hoopers have completed the signing of Congo DR national team captain Maxi Munanga Shamba ahead of season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Shamba, a 31-year-old point guard, has been a crucial member of the Congolese national team since the 2017 Afrobasket tournament in Rwanda.
Shamba has 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.
The Congolese ace has impressive statistics, averaging 12.7 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 6.7 assists per game at the 2021 Afrobasket. He also guided DR Congo to a remarkable 65-55 victory over Morocco during the 2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers in February, scoring 15 points and hitting 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc in just 20 minutes.
According to the team’s Media & Communications Manager, Queen John-Moseph, Shamba is one of the new signees for River Hoopers, along with Kelvin Amayo, Madut Akec, Raphiael Putney, and Peter Olisemeka.
The signing of Shamba is expected to boost River Hoopers’ chances in the upcoming BAL season, which tips off on April 5 in Rabat, Morocco.
The signing of Shamba is a significant boost to River Hoopers’ roster, as they prepare to face top teams from across Africa in the BAL. With his wealth of experience and impressive stats, Shamba is expected to play a key role in the team’s campaign. River Hoopers will be looking to make a strong impression in the BAL, and the addition of Shamba to their lineup is a major step in that direction.
As the BAL season approaches, River Hoopers are gearing up for a thrilling campaign. With Shamba on board, the team will be looking to make a deep run in the competition. Fans of the team will be eagerly anticipating the start of the season, and the opportunity to see Shamba in action. With his skills and experience, he is sure to be a fan favorite in no time.