Rwandan Forward Bizimana Wins Orlando Scholarship
The 18-year-old forward will attend Worldwide Prep Academy in Orlando, Florida, after a fully funded scholarship.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Basketball
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Plamedie Bizimana, an 18-year-old forward, has secured a fully funded scholarship to attend Worldwide Prep Academy in Orlando, Florida. He moved to the United States in November 2026 after his performance for Rwanda's junior national team at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket.
Why it matters
The scholarship offers Bizimana a path to develop as a player and student in the United States after a standout showing for Rwanda at the continental tournament. For Orlando, it adds a young international athlete to a local prep program.
Bizimana averaged 15 points and 8.8 rebounds per game across five games at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket, ranking seventh in scoring and fifth in rebounding. The scholarship's length and terms were not disclosed.
The players
Plamedie Bizimana
An 18-year-old Rwandan forward who has represented his country's junior national teams since 2023 and earned a scholarship to Worldwide Prep Academy.
Worldwide Prep Academy
A preparatory school in Orlando, Florida, that offered Bizimana a fully funded scholarship to attend.
The details
Bizimana, who stands 1.96 metres tall, scored 21 points against Cameroon and recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds against Gabon in the classification round. Rwanda did not advance beyond the classification stage at the tournament held in Abidjan.
Timeline
2023: Bizimana first represented Rwanda at the FIBA U16 African Championship.
August 5 to 16, 2026: FIBA U18 AfroBasket held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
November 2026: Bizimana moved to the United States after securing the scholarship.
Season Trajectory
The FIBA U18 AfroBasket remains a key showcase for African junior talent seeking opportunities in the United States. Bizimana's scholarship reflects how performances at this continental event can translate into academic and athletic pathways abroad.
For fantasy and prospect watchers, Bizimana's 8.8 rebounds per game at the continental level signal rebounding strength in a young forward. His move to a U.S. prep program places him in a development environment that may produce more visible game footage for scouts.
The takeaway
Bizimana's scholarship shows how continental tournament performances can open doors for young players seeking development opportunities in the United States. Readers following junior basketball can track his progress through his new program in Orlando.
Further reading
For more on junior prospects, explore Basketball coverage across the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New Times.
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