US-based center Bella Murekatete has joined the Rwandan national women’s basketball team for their preparation for the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 pre-qualifiers, which will take place in Kigali from August 19-25.
The team is currently staying at Kigali Delight Hotel and training twice daily at BK Arena.
At 24, Murekatete has been competing with the Washington State Cougars, playing a crucial role in their success, which saw them reach the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) semifinals. Standing 6-foot-3 (1.90m), she participated in all 36 games this season, averaging 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. This year, she made history by becoming the all-time leader in career rebounds (990), blocks (188), games played (153), and games started (145) for the Cougars. Over her five-year tenure at Washington State, Murekatete accumulated 1,552 points, ranking fifth in the program’s history.
Prior to the season, she was named to the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award Watch List and the 2023-24 Preseason All-Pac-12 team.
Rwanda has been placed in Group D with Great Britain, Argentina, and Lebanon. Kigali will host the pre-qualifiers for Groups D and C, while the pre-qualifiers for Groups A and B will be held in Mexico City, Mexico.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals of their respective pre-qualifiers. The winners of these tournaments will qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying rounds scheduled for 2026.
Provisional Team
Assouma Uwizeye, Faustine Mwizerwa, Jane Dusabe, Laurence Imanizabayo, Nelly Akaliza, Nicole Urwibutso, Odille Tetero, Rosine Micomyiza, Sandra Kantore, Shanice Uwase, Charlotte Umugwaneza, Destiney Philoxy, Chantal Kiyobe, Joyeuse Sifa Ineza, Celine De Roy, Sabine Mugeni, Soiffa Wibabara, Hope Butera and Bella Murekatete.