The Ivory Coast men's national basketball team is the men's basketball side that represents Ivory Coast in international competition. The team competes regularly in the African Championship and is administered by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Basket-Ball.
With two AfroBasket titles and six overall finals appearances, the country is traditionally home to one of the continent's finest basketball national teams. The Elephants have played at the FIBA Basketball World Cup five times and also played in the 2023 edition.
After a 5th place finish at the FIBA Africa Championship 1968 in Morocco, the Ivory Coast national basketball team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Côte dâÂÂIvoire reached the final of the FIBA Africa Championship in 1978 and 1980, finishing as runners-up to Senegal on both occasions.
In 1981, Côte dâÂÂIvoire captured their first continental title, defeating the Egypt in the championship game. Four years later, while hosting the 1985 AfroBasket in Abidjan, they claimed a second title after beating the Angola.
After years outside of the spotlight, Côte dâÂÂIvoire finished second at AfroBasket 2009, their first podium finish since 1985.
The result qualified the team for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, their first FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance since 1986. Côte dâÂÂIvoire finished with a 1âÂÂ4 record, but celebrated a historic milestone by defeating the Puerto Rico 88âÂÂ76 in their final group game â the nationâÂÂs first-ever World Cup victory.
In the final round of African qualifiers, Côte dâÂÂIvoire needed to win their last three games by a combined margin of 66 points in order to qualify as the best-ranked third-placed team. Against the odds, they surpassed that mark with a total margin of 73 points.
A decisive moment came in their 72âÂÂ46 victory over the Nigeria, one of AfricaâÂÂs strongest squads. Combined with a loss for the Central African Republic, Côte dâÂÂIvoire clinched qualification ahead of Cameroon.
At the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Côte dâÂÂIvoire competed in Group A alongside China, Poland and Venezuela.
Côte dâÂÂIvoire advanced to the AfroBasket 2021 final held in Rwanda, marking the first time they reached the championship game since AfroBasket 2009. In the semi-finals, they defeated the Senegal 75âÂÂ65, powered by a dominant double-double from Matt Costello (17 points, 12 rebounds), contributions from Vafessa Fofana and Nisre Mimi Zouzoua, and a strong bench performance by Souleyman Diabaté scoring 14 points.
In the final, Côte dâÂÂIvoire narrowly lost to the Tunisia 78âÂÂ75, as Tunisia retained their title. Souleyman Diabaté was a standout for the Ivorians, scoring a game-high 22 points.
Côte dâÂÂIvoire entered the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers with authority, posting a perfect 6âÂÂ0 record. Notable victories against the Egypt in Cairo and Madagascar demonstrated their preparation and ambition.
In the main tournament scheduled for August 2025 in Angola, Côte dâÂÂIvoire competes in the group phase with fixtures against Rwanda, Cape Verde, and DR Congo.
Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
Runners-up
Team for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket.
Other current notable players from Ivory Coast:
Roster for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Team for the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship.