I watched Cameroon vs. Chad on August 13, 2026. This game was part of the FIBA Under-18 AfroBasket.
Here are in-game and background notes on the prospects I scouted and will continue to keep a close eye on going forward:
BIRTHDAY: January 4, 2008
HEIGHT: 6-foot-10
WINGSPAN: ~6-foot-11
WEIGHT ~227 pounds1
BOX SCORE: 18 PTS (6/12 FG, 2/3 2P, 4/9 3P, 2/2 FT), 9 REB (2o), 3 AST to 0 TOV, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 PF in 23:48 MINS
PLAYS FOR: Varese Academy (Italy)
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Mid-major D-I recruit
Ronny Ewanke still projects as an off-ball wing since the last time I evaluated him in-depth last July, but his three-point consistency and overall self-creation continues to be a struggle.
Best game in an underwhelming tournament. Expected him to be more dominant at the event given his experience, previous production, and tools
Did not manage to assert himself physically. Hasn’t embraced contact around the rim or in the post whenever he’s played with his back to the basket
Too reliant on being set up still. For the most part, can’t create his own advantages as a scorer. One pull-up three flash
Encouraging volume but terrible efficiency from deep this tournament. 4/9 3P in this game, but 1/9, 1/5, 0/5, 0/5 otherwise during the rest of the event. Poor FT% also
High release point on his shot, but his consistency from deep has been a question
Impactful with his length on defense. Got deflections, especially when he was helming Cameroon’s full court press. Reliable motor on this end even when his shot isn’t falling
Bit of a strange role in this tournament. Not too sure it’s how he will play going forward, or even how he’s played in his career so far
Has operated as a wing-4 and almost as a 5 at times given Cameroon’s roster. Karl Wabo-Depouilly and Bayero Aliyou aren’t really centers
Preferred him a lot more next to a pure center in Amadou Seini during previous FIBA play.
Full name is Ronny Brad Ewanke. Started developing at the Friendship Basketball Academy in Yaoundé. Was then one of three Cameroonian prospects (alongside Amadou Seini, now a West Virginia commit, and Benjamen Nantah) to join Varese in Italy January 2023. Scouted by Italian coach Stefano Bizzozi. Signing process reportedly went through Italian diplomats in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Italian team reportedly beat offers from Tony Parker’s club, which likely means ASVEL, to sign Ewanke.
In June 2023, had a 22 PTS and 30 REB double-double at the Italian Under-15 Championship to defeat Cantù and was named to the tournament’s Best Five.
In the 2023-24 season playing for Varese Academy’s Serie C team, averaged 6.1 PTS in 21 games. Also averaged 21.1 PTS in 31 games in Lombardy’s Under-17 league.
In the 2024-25 season playing for Varese Academy’s Serie C team, averaged 9.9 PTS in 32 games. Also averaged 29.7 PTS in 19 games in Lombardy’s Under-17 league. In the 2025-26 season playing for Varese Academy’s Serie C team, averaged 14.6 PTS in 33 games. Also averaged 21 PTS in 26 games in the Italian Under-19 league.
In 7 games (24.5 MINS) at the 2025 Under-19 World Cup, averaged 9 PTS, 4.7 REB (1o), 0.7 AST to 1.4 TOV, 0.4 STL, 0.6 BLK, 2.7 PF on 43.4 FG% (23/53) / 80.0 2P% (12/15) / 28.9 3P% (11/38) / 85.7 FT% (6/7) shooting splits.
Debuted with the Cameroonian senior national team in November 2025 at 17 y/o for the first window of the 2027 World Cup African qualifiers.
In 2026, played for the EuroLeague Adidas NextGen Team at the ANGT Bologna qualifier in March. Averaged 5.5 PTS, 4.2 REB (1.2o), 0.5 AST to 1.2 TOV, 0.5 STL, 0.5 BLK, 1.8 PF on 43.5 FG (10/23) / 61.5 2P% (8/13) / 20 3P% (2/10) / 0 FT% (0/2) in 3 games.
Invited to the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso in June. [what were his measurements? Stats?]
Seems set to follow in Amadou Seini’s footsteps and join CIA Bella Vista (Arizona) in the near future? Not confirmed yet.
BIRTHDAY: March 10, 2010
HEIGHT: 6-foot-9
BOX SCORE: 1 PT (0/4 FG, 0/4 2P, 0/0 3P, 1/4 FT), 6 REB (3o), 1 AST to 3 TOV, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 PF in 18:22 MINS
PLAYS FOR: NBA Academy Africa
PREDICTION FOR FUTURE: Mid-major D-I recruit
Bayero Aliyou’s activity on defense and on the glass was nice to see, but he remains incredibly raw and ineffective as a scorer.
Length alters shots at the rim and jumpers further away from it
Decent margins for recovery given his ground coverage and levels of activity. Off-ball awareness isn’t that good yet, but he can make up for his mistakes
Credited with 0 stocks but definitely made an impact
Fumbled a couple of “easy” catches at the rim that he should have finished
Got blocked attacking a closeout and going for a dunk
Finished as a -3 in his 18 minutes on the court, though. Quite hard for him to add value on offense still
Motor typically showed up on the glass. Extended possessions with his offensive rebounding (3 OREBs to 3 DREBs)
Doesn’t rush after getting the OREB, which I appreciate for a young prospect
Generally tries to box out, but gets beat too often still. Conceded an avoidable OREB to Ngaba Yaya
Attempts to show off expansive flashes like usual, but largely didn’t work out
Doesn’t have a jumper unless it’s a wide open spot-up, if that
Handle is very limited. Gets stonewalled incredibly easily. Cannot create advantages in the open court, let alone facing up
Had one interesting pass out of the post where he turned baseline and then squeezed in the drop-off at the rim to generate free throws
Another back-to-the-basket possession where he moved Ngaba Yaya and got him to leave his feet before drawing the foul
Listed as the MVP when Kadji Sports Academy (Douala) won the Cameroon U18 Boys title in July 2024. Would have been 14 at the time. Was then called up to the KSA senior training camp (not the first team) for the 2024 BAL.
Debuted with Cameroon at the 2025 Under-16 AfroBasket. In 6 games, averaged 4.2 PTS, 10.5 REB (4.5o), 1.2 AST to 1.7 TOV, 0.3 STL, 4.7 BLK in 25.8 MINS on 23.5 FG% (12/51) / 29.3 2P% (12/41) / 0.0 3P% (0/10) / 7.1 FT% (1/14).
In October 2025, was selected to the FIBA Africa Regional Youth Camp in Egypt.
Joined the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal around June 2026. Was a late scratch for Cameroon’s U-17 World Cup team after making the move, according to Diaspora Drop.
Played for NBA Academy Africa at the 2026 NBA Academy Games. In 6 games (18 MINS), averaged 2.5 PTS, 5.7 REB (1.3o), 1.3 AST to 2.2 TOV, 0.0 STL, 1.8 BLK, 1.0 PF on 19.2 FG% (5/26) / 27.3 3P% (3/11) / 33.3 FT% (2/6) shooting splits.
Players in the history of the NBA Academy Games to fit the following query AGE ≤ 16.5, OREB ≥ 1, DREB ≥ 2, BLK ≥ 1: Aliyou, Khaman Maluach, Ulrich Chomche David Ugonna Ike, Benjamin Davies…
James Minlend’s herky-jerky pace has continued to stand out, but his finishing around the rim and possible lack of touch at the basket is worrying me a little. Plus, his shot mechanics will most likely need some retooling, so I’m not sure how reliable his 3P will be in the short term
Daryl Baya was very physical with his big frame and defensive intensity, but he looks limited as a three-point shooter and below-the-rim finisher. Still, I liked his crafty handle and willingness to bump in the lane. He is on an interesting path playing in Cyprus.
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