University of Massachusets Athletics
Philoxy Set To Compete With Rwanda In 2023 AfroBasket Tournament
July 24, 2023 | Women's Basketball
The five-year letterwinner begins competition with Rwanda on July 28
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball alumna Destiney Philoxy will compete with Rwanda in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Tournament on Friday, July 28 through Sunday, August 6. Rwanda will play host to the 28th edition of the tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, at the KB Arena.
"We are proud Destiney is competing in AfroBasket 2023," said head coach Mike Leflar. "She earned this great opportunity, and I know she will make an impact at the tournament. This will be her first step in a professional journey that we will follow for years to come."
Philoxy, a five-year letterwinner, finished her career with the Minutewomen as the program's all-time career assists leader, accumulating 699 dimes. She also leads the program in career games played (148) and career minutes played (4,500) and placed her name within the top-20 of 15 career record statistical categories.
"Destiney was a huge part of our rise and success," added Leflar. "I am happy she will be representing UMass in the professional ranks."
During her time at UMass, Philoxy averaged 10.8 points per game (1,597 total), 3.7 rebounds per game (541 total) and 4.7 assists per game. Philoxy was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team member, a two-time All-Conference Second Team honoree, named to the All-Championship Team in the 2020-21 season and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team in her first year.
In the 2022-23 season, she ranked first in the Atlantic 10 in total assists (171) and second with 5.0 assists per game, while landing 22nd in the NCAA with her total assists and 33rd for her assists average. She averaged 33.9 minutes per game in 34 contests, scoring an average of 10.7 points per game. The Queens, New York, native put up a career-high 11 rebounds in the second round of the WNIT against Harvard (3/20), adding 10 points for a double-double on the day, and matched a career best 11 assists at Rhode Island (2/16).
The 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Tournament will see 12 teams in action – Angola, Cameroon, Congo DR, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda. Team Rwanda will compete in Group A, facing Angola and Cote d'Ivoire. In addition to the crowing of the 2023 AfroBasket champions, the two finalists of the tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT), which takes place in February of 2024.
Rwanda, who automatically qualified as hosts, ranks 91st, including 13th in Africa, as of February 2023. The team last participated in the Women's AfroBasket Tournament in 2011, when it finished ninth on a 3-4 record. It also marks the third appearance in the biennial tournament for Rwanda.
"We are proud Destiney is competing in AfroBasket 2023," said head coach Mike Leflar. "She earned this great opportunity, and I know she will make an impact at the tournament. This will be her first step in a professional journey that we will follow for years to come."
Philoxy, a five-year letterwinner, finished her career with the Minutewomen as the program's all-time career assists leader, accumulating 699 dimes. She also leads the program in career games played (148) and career minutes played (4,500) and placed her name within the top-20 of 15 career record statistical categories.
"Destiney was a huge part of our rise and success," added Leflar. "I am happy she will be representing UMass in the professional ranks."
During her time at UMass, Philoxy averaged 10.8 points per game (1,597 total), 3.7 rebounds per game (541 total) and 4.7 assists per game. Philoxy was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team member, a two-time All-Conference Second Team honoree, named to the All-Championship Team in the 2020-21 season and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team in her first year.
In the 2022-23 season, she ranked first in the Atlantic 10 in total assists (171) and second with 5.0 assists per game, while landing 22nd in the NCAA with her total assists and 33rd for her assists average. She averaged 33.9 minutes per game in 34 contests, scoring an average of 10.7 points per game. The Queens, New York, native put up a career-high 11 rebounds in the second round of the WNIT against Harvard (3/20), adding 10 points for a double-double on the day, and matched a career best 11 assists at Rhode Island (2/16).
The 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Tournament will see 12 teams in action – Angola, Cameroon, Congo DR, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda. Team Rwanda will compete in Group A, facing Angola and Cote d'Ivoire. In addition to the crowing of the 2023 AfroBasket champions, the two finalists of the tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT), which takes place in February of 2024.
Rwanda, who automatically qualified as hosts, ranks 91st, including 13th in Africa, as of February 2023. The team last participated in the Women's AfroBasket Tournament in 2011, when it finished ninth on a 3-4 record. It also marks the third appearance in the biennial tournament for Rwanda.
Players Mentioned
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