“I hope to be the future point guard of the Congolese national selection,” 17-year-old BC Boncourt player Benie Lumanisa said of his recent international call-up.
Benie Lumanisa is carving out his path in the Swiss Jura mountains, where the young point guard is cutting his teeth in the Ligue Nationale B (LNB) basketball championship. While his long-term ambitions point toward professional play in top-tier European leagues, he also harbors the ambition to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That ambition took a tangible step forward recently when the Lyon native received a call-up from the Congolese national team to serve as a training partner during the qualifiers for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Development under Nemanja Calasan at BC Boncourt
Leaving the Lyon region roughly three years ago to join BC Boncourt allowed Lumanisa to focus entirely on his craft. Under the guidance of head coach Nemanja Calasan, the teenager spends his days working on the hardwood of the Swiss club, which he hopes will act as a vital springboard for his career.
Lumanisa expressed appreciation for the infrastructure provided by the Jurassian club and the ongoing mentorship from Calasan. The competitive environment of the Swiss LNB has offered a steep learning curve for the young guard. “At every match, you learn, both from the youngsters and the more experienced players,” Lumanisa noted.
Training alongside senior internationals in the World Cup qualifiers
The call from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s coaching staff arrived unexpectedly about two months ago. Invited to join the selection as a training partner ahead of World Cup qualifying matches, Lumanisa embraced the opportunity without hesitation.
“I come to train with them, to learn,” Lumanisa said. Acknowledging his good fortune to share the court with established professionals operating at the highest levels, the guard pointed out the subtle education gained from elite teammates. “You learn a lot of things from those players. It goes from the way of thinking to the way of acting,” he added.
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