Aboubakar Gakou Of Angola
Supplied/FIBA Africa
The arenas in Namibe and Luanda have been electric every time Angola, hosts and now title favourites, took to the court in pursuit of their 12th FIBA AfroBasket Championship. Every rebound, every defensive stop, every shot is magnified, while any touch from their opponents is met with a chorus of boos from the crowd. The semifinal against Cameroon was no different. The game swung back and forth, with nine lead changes and 11 tied scores, each possession ratcheting up the tension. In the final seconds of the game, Angola’s place in the final came down to three free throws, taken by none other than Aboubaker Gakou.
“In my mind, I was like, I just need to make one,” he shared with Forbes.com, recalling the tense moment. “I missed the first, made the second, and the coach told me to miss the third. That’s what happened.” The calm in his words belied the intensity of the situation and the journey it represented.
From Late Starter to National Star
KIGALI, RWANDA – MAY 29: Aboubakar Pedro Gakou #15 of Petroleos De Luanda drives to the basket during the game against the Cape Town Tigers during the 2024 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on May 29, 2024 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nacer Talel/NBAE via Getty Images)
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For a player who only picked up basketball at 17, Gakou’s ascent has been remarkable. Within a year, he earned a spot with Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, one of Angola’s most storied clubs. Since joining in 2015, he has become a cornerstone for the team, helping them secure six Angolan Basketball League titles, three Angolan League MVP awards, multiple national cups and super cups, and a Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship in 2024. His versatility as a power forward, able to score, rebound, and defend with intensity, has made him indispensable in high-stakes games.
“Sacrifice is the first word that comes to mind,” he said. “It was a tough game, very tough, but we didn’t give up. We were at a very low level at points, but we won by one point. That point was one of the most important of the game.”
Angola’s rich basketball culture provided fertile ground for his rapid development. Growing up surrounded by the energy of packed arenas and inspired by local role models, he dreamed of one day wearing the national jersey. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid,” he shared a day prior, following a tough game against Cape Verde. “It’s all for me, but it’s also for everyone who supported me along the way.”
Resilience Under Pressure
Gakou During Angola’s Second Group Game Against
Supplied/FIBA Africa
The semifinal victory over Cameroon, razor-thin as it was, highlighted the team’s resilience. Despite Cameroon’s high expectations and potent offense, Angola’s defence carried the day. “Defence won us the game,” Gakou explained. “We didn’t let down, we didn’t go down ahead. The last three throws were tough. I missed one, but made the ones that mattered. That’s what won us the game.”
This mentality, a combination of skill and mental fortitude, has defined Gakou’s career. The game mirrored his journey: late start, rapid progression, and the ability to thrive under pressure. “The lesson we learned to