Joel Almeida Archives | The Big Tip Off

Almeida shaping Kriol Star and CBL to be shining lights in Africa

JOEL Almeida has entered a phase of his life and career where legacy has become paramount, and making a meaningful contribution to Cape Verde’s basketball ecosystem has become a part of that mission.

Almeida, 39, is an influential figure in Cape Verdean basketball, and he has used that virtue to effect change for the island’s youth.

In addressing the future needs of basketball in his country, Joel and his younger Ivan founded the now 10-year-old Kriol Star, a development foundation that evolved into a club just last year. Since then, it (Kriol Star) added another first for Cape Verde’s basketball reputation – qualifying for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Kriol Star's Joel Almeida — **Joel Almeida says Kriol Star came to the Road to BAL in Kenya with a mature perspective. Pictures: FIBA**

Another pioneering effort by Joel was starting the Cape Verde Basketball League (CBL), which began in 2023. These are significant milestones, but Almeida sees Kriol Star and the CBL as his way of contributing to the game’s growth and ensuring an outlet exists for talent to develop.

Speaking to the Big Tip Off, Almeida cited Cape Verde’s debut at the 2023 World Cup and Kriol Star’s qualification to the BAL as signs that he should invest more in his country of birth.

“I wouldn’t say they are milestones. It’s giving back to the country and setting up a legacy for the next generation,” said Almeida. There is a great amount of talent in Cape Verde and it needed a platform to showcase it.

“We are able to prove that we belong on the world stage by qualifying for the World Cup. We have also proven it at the club level with Kriol Star qualifying for the BAL. So that’s why it was important I implemented those two projects.”

Looking back at Kriol Star’s BAL qualification, a stroke of fortune would play its hand after they faltered in the preliminary phase of the Road to BAL Division West and finished winless in the group phase in Tripoli, Libya, last year.

Almeida felt the initial Road to BAL experience was a reality check for a club formed a few months before the qualifying tournament for Africa’s elite league.

“We learnt lessons… Tough ones. Kriol Star is a team that was formed in less than two months and went to compete,” said Almeida. “For us to be there was good. We didn’t have bad games, but the process of having experience and playing together counts a lot.”

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His focus turned to Kriol Star’s wild card entry to the Elite 16 Division East in Nairobi, Kenya, which led to its historic qualification to BAL Season 5.

“The second time around, we were like ‘Yes, this is our chance to prove what we are really about’ and to show that we belong on this stage,” said Almeida, a semi-finalist with Cape Verde in the 2021 AfroBasket. “We took this with a great sense of responsibility. There was also a sense of relief that we got a second chance.

“We fought tooth and nail to build the roster and to create the logistics to be there. All we had to do was go out there and proving it on the court and we did that.”

Having played in Season 2 of the BAL with Cameroon’s FAP, Almeida, who averaged 8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.8 apg at the Road to BAL, described getting to qualify for the tournament with a club from his country as “special”.

“It feels special… So special. I am extremely proud of what we achieved. A club from Cape Verde has never competed at the Road to BAL. Last year was the first time. A club from Cape Verde has never qualified for the BAL. Last year was the first time it happened,” said Almeida. “I feel a sense of pride… To be part of this big stage in African club basketball and putting my country on the map. Great things are coming, but this is just the first step. We are hungry for more.”

Joel Almeida in action for Kriol Star — **Joel Almeida feels proud of Kriol Star’s achievement in qualifying for the BAL.**

The accomplished Almeida elaborated on his desire for more from CBL and Kriol Star.

“I see Kriol Star as a permanent participant in the BAL and achieving great success at the highest level. I want to see more growth for the CBL… To see it developing Cape Verdean talent and seeing more African talent in the league,” said Almeida. It can be a point of reference for Africa on what is possible when you invest resources, knuckle down and work. The CBL is something the African continent can duplicate to help elevate talent. I believe in it because I see Africa as the next frontier… Many entities come to the continent to extract talent. So why not have a platform where that talent can grow.”

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Almeida, Cape Verde dream big ahead of World Cup

Understanding the process

For Almeida, being a part of this epic narrative in Cape Verde’s basketball history is a fulfilment of a dream.

The 36-year-old explained to The Big Tip Off that, as a youngster playing in a World Cup is something he imagined, but initially felt out of reach.

“When you are a young player, you have many dreams. You dream of hitting that buzzer-beater that wins the game. You dream of celebrating winning a championship or being at a World Cup or an Olympics,” said Almeida, who was in the United States with the national team. “Every player has those dreams, but when you are young, it’s something that’s so far away. When you start playing and dedicating yourself, the road gets shorter.

“When you start achieving those successes, like winning a championship, it clicks that this is the process you go through to achieve certain goals. I know getting to the destination (World Cup) is the goal, but there is a lot of road to travel through to get there.”

Joel Almeida chasing big dreams — **Joel Almeida believes Cape Verde should have bigger dreams at the World Cup. Picture: The BTO**

One of the senior leaders in the team, Almeida along with giant star centre Walter Tavares, younger brother Ivan and Betinho Gomes were part of the veteran core that helped Cape Verde achieve history. Almeida emphasized the importance of the elder statesmen in the team and the guidance they offer.

“I always say basketball is a maturity sport. It (qualification for World Cup) came at the right time because of the growth of every player and experience we accumulated over the years,” said Almeida. Having that veteran experience helped tremendously. Also the injection of young players helped us move forward because we have to look to the future.

“That combination of youth and experience helped us get to where we are. Basketball is a high IQ game, with the veteran leadership we were able to overcome adversity. It also sets you up for success.”

Sharing blood and sweat with Ivan

While Almeida has gushed over qualifying for the World Cup, what has made the journey even more enjoyable, is that he got to share the moment with his younger brother, Ivan.

The sibling duo joined at the hip from their first senior international competition in 2009 (AfroBasket), played in the decisive victory over Cote d’Ivoire at the final window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in February (in Angola).

“Having that moment with your brother is the best feeling in the world. Even if he didn’t play basketball and he was there, it would have been the best feeling,” said Almeida. “But having your brother on the team and sharing that moment with him… it’s just different. It’s a special feeling.

“Knowing that we achieved a dream together and for Cape Verde. Sharing that moment is something that will remain forever in my memory.”

Almeida’s full circle moment

One of the stops before the start of the tournament for Cape Verde was the US. It is also where the former Brockport State player refined his game, and being there has a sentimental bearing.

“It’s emotional because it’s a full circle moment. When I left the States after playing college basketball, I never thought I would come back and be preparing for the World Cup here,” said Almeida. “It touches me deeply because this is where everything started. It’s a beautiful feeling.

“Also, one the largest communities from the Cape Verde diaspora is based here. So feeling their warmth and energy makes us feel at home.”

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Cape Verde to the world

When the week begins, the temporary home comforts in the US will be a thing of the past. Cape Verde, semi-finalists at the 2021 AfroBasket, will be in Asia. The gaze of the world will focus on them, eager to see what they are capable of.

In Group F, their opponents, Georgia, Venezuela and Slovenia, also lie in wait, ready to size up the islanders, representing 600 000 hopeful people.

It is a challenge Almeida accepts and his knowledge of their first opponents, Georgia could be a plus for his team. The Eastern Europeans will have the likes of NBA players Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (San Antonio Spurs) in their arsenal.

“I played in Georgia for two seasons. I am familiar with their players. A lot of the players play in the local league. They are a skilled and physical team, but we must go out there and execute our game plan. We have to show we deserve to be on this stage by taking care of business,” said Almeida, a two-time Georgian Cup winner with Kutaisi.

He also shared his thoughts about Cape Verde’s remaining games against Venezuela and Slovenia, who will have the phenomenal Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.

“Venezuela is a great South American team. They are here because they are one of the best teams in their region. Slovenia will also offer a good match up. Everything will go down to execution and staying competitive for 40 minutes,” said Almeida.

“We respect these teams (Georgia, Venezuela and Georgia). But we also want to make our history. We are hungry for more. That is the attitude we have and it will help us when the tournament starts.”

Joel Almeida and Ivan Almeida World Cup — **Joel Almeida embraces his younger brother, Ivan, after qualifying for the World Cup.**

Setting the bar high

Judging from Almeida’s talk, Cape Verde wants to do more than fulfill a desire to participate in the World Cup. He believes they should have bigger dreams at this stage.

“I always set high standards in everything I do. You have to aim for the stars and hope to land on the moon. And those goals have to scare you. If those objectives scare you, then I believe mentally, you will be prepared to achieve those higher goals,” Almeida said. “That is how we have to approach the tournament. We have to expect the best from ourselves.”

Only those in the inner sanctum of Cape Verde know what it took to reach the epitome of basketball competition. And, if Almeida and the islanders want to go to infinity and beyond, it’s because they know how far wild ambition can get you.

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Joel Almeida helping FAP plot their way to Kigali

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JOEL Almeida may have advanced in age, yet the desire to still want to compete and win beats in his heart. The Cape Verde-born payer, who has been a pro for 12 years, attributes his longevity in the game to simply taking care of himself.

“It’s been a blessing to play basketball for this long at the national team and club level. I have been fortunate to play the game for as long as I have,” said the 36-year-old guard and forward. “The work I put in the offseason and during the season to take care of my body is important. I am always in the gym getting my body prepared and watching what I put in it. Finally, I remain focused. I believe if you put in the work you will be rewarded.”

Almeida added: “Taking care of your body is key because it’s the biggest tool one needs to perform on the basketball court. Keeping your body in a pristine condition will allow you to play for many years. There is also the aspect of maturity and experience. Those two elements can make a player lethal.”

The veteran guard is eager for success on two fronts. Firstly, Almeida, who signed with Cameroon club Forces Armees et Police (FAP) for the second edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), wants to achieve success on the continent.

**Joel Almeida is still hungry for success at 36-years-old. Pictures: Supplied**

Lastly, the national team of Cape Verde has the opportunity to qualify for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Japan and the Philippines. Almeida, who is part of the island nation’s campaign to try to punch in their ticket for the global event, believes it is an achievable dream.

On the World Cup qualifiers, Almeida says the island nation has the playing personnel and the capability to make it to Asia next year.

“It’s been an amazing journey. I feel this group of Cape Verde players have a lot to give. Those are my brothers in arms. We finally have a team that has the country’s best players, and we want to move forward,” said Almeida.
Cape Verde, semi-finalists in last year’s AfroBasket in Rwanda, are in fourth spot in their World Cup qualifying Group A, and they are a single point behind group leaders Nigeria.
While Almeida has high ambition for the Cape Verdean team, he knows that there is another round of matches to be played for them to win in their group. That’s not all; there is the hurdle of the second round of continental qualifiers that they would have to navigate past.

“We have something to build on when we resume the qualifiers in July. It would be huge for us if we qualified for the next stage of the qualifiers. That is where our focus is, and I strongly believe Cape Verde is going to be there. We are going to fight to get there,” said the former Brockport State player.

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For now, Almeida does not have to worry pertaining his national team. His focus is on helping the FAP club with their BAL campaign in Cairo.

In their second appearance in the BAL, FAP hope to do better than their quarter-final appearance last year in Rwanda. Can Almeida, who joined the club in the preliminary qualifiers last year, be one of the cogs that takes the team further?

“Being the veteran in the team, I want to help put them in the best position. I am familiar with continental basketball and the players. So I have to pass on the experience and knowledge I gained throughout my career for the team to succeed,” said Almeida, who has won cup competitions at the club level in Portugal and Georgia. “Our main goal is to be in Kigali. We have to keep our eye on that prize. This journey is a step-by-step process. So we have to focus on the next game and get the win. I believe when we step on the court, we can compete against anyone because we have a great team.”
The Nile Conference club had a fine start to the competition with a win (77-60) over the Democratic Republic of Congo club, Espoir Fukash.

In that game on Sunday night, Almeida led his team to victory scoring 23 points and also recorded four steals against the Congolese club. The well-travelled player, who is playing for his 15th club, welcomes his team’s good start. But a player of his status and experience knows the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s always great to start the tournament on a good note. It was a great win for us collectively. We are motivated, but we have to keep ourselves on an even keel. We now have to focus on the next opponent,” said Almeida, who reflected on his performance against Fukash. “It’s all a team effort. I scored those points because my teammates found me. So it was a collective effort. Every game will have a different story, and another player will step up for the team. That is why we are here. We are a team and a family.”

FAP had two days of rest ahead of their Wednesday night clash against South African club Cape Town Tigers, who are 0-2 in the competition. Almeida says he was impressed with what he saw from the Tigers in their opening game against Angola’s Petro Atletico.

“Uh, Cape Tigers. Great team. I have nothing but great things to say about them. They are up and coming and played against good teams to get here. They gave a good account of themselves against Petro. It’s just that some things did not go their way in that match, but you can see they have the talent. They have some great individual players,” said Almeida. “So we have to stay focused and do our best against them to come away with a victory.”

When Almeida and his teammates step onto the court against the wounded Tigers, there will be little room for niceties. A win over the South African club will go a long way in ensuring they get a last eight spot for the Kigali leg of the BAL.

* Time 11pm (GMT +2), Wednesday, 13 April
* Fixture: Cape Town Tigers (South Africa) v FAP (Cameroon)

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Cape Verde prepared for dog-fight in tough group

“We are focused. We have prepared well”

JOEL Almeida’s transition to basketball came as a way of him trying something new . Like most youngsters on the African continent, Cape Verde-born Almeida started out playing football, but the basketball bug bit in his mid-teens and he never looked back.

Since then, Almeida’s career has seen him traverse different parts of the world. Beginning with the college system in the United States of America. The 35-year old would later play in his country of birth, Angola, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and now Georgia, where he plays for BC Kutaisi.

“I started playing football. I switched to basketball when I was 15. I moved to the States for junior college and later college. I then made the move to Europe to play professionally and I have been there since 2009,” said Almeida, who elaborated on his change to basketball. “I wanted to try new things. Football is the main sport in Cape Verde. But, when I was growing up, I tried many sports as well. My friends convinced me to try basketball. They saw my height and were sure I would be good at it. I tried and eventually fell in love with it.”

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Having played in the parts of the world that he has, the shooting guard is well versed in different basketball cultures, which matured him as a player.

Playing in the US and Europe, you learn that the approach to the game is different. Adapting to different styles helps you grow as a player. It gives you more experience and a different outlook. When you encounter certain situations on the court, you will know how to adjust,” said Almeida, who played for Mowhawk Valley Community College in America.

Almeida’s approach and experience will come in handy for Cape Verde. The island nation, begin the final leg of the Afrobasket qualifiers in Monastir, Tunisia today.

Holding a 1-2 record from the opening window in Rwanda last year, Cape Verde have to show a marked improvement when they tip-off against Morocco in group E. The Cape Verdeans hold the psychological edge over the Moroccans, having beaten them last year. Their two defeats in the group, came at the hands of Egypt and Uganda.

Second Picture — **With the absence of Ivan Almeida, this presents an opportunity for other Cape Verde players to step up. Pictures: FIBA**

“We are focused. We have prepared well. Right now, we aim to take it one game at a time. So we will do our best to come out with a victory,” said Almeida. “This group is a tough one. The teams are good and balanced. You can see the results from last year’s opening window. There were no blow-outs. All the games were close, with small point differentials.”

Giving his assessment of the teams in Cape Verde’s group, Almeida says it will be an all out battle to secure spots for the AfroBasket in Rwanda (24 August -5 September).
“Morocco has competed in continental competitions for many years. They have brought in some new players for this window. They are younger and inexperienced at this level. Egypt are a powerhouse. They have great players and are a balanced team. They also have experience on their side and are also well-coached. Uganda are up and coming. They have great talent, also well-coached and are a united team. So, it’s a tough group. Every game is going to be a dog-fight,” said the former Brockport State player.

On Cape Verde’s chances of securing their ticket to the continental showpiece, Almeida believes the key is motivation.

“We are motivated to get to Rwanda. We want to be on the biggest stage of African basketball competition. This window presents us with that chance. It’s now or never,” said Almeida. “Qualifying for the AfroBasket would mean a lot to the country and our people. We want to make them proud. We want to be there. We are willing to do what it takes to get there.”

Third Pic — **Joel Almeida says the team are motivated and ready achieve their goal.**

To achieve this ambition, Almeida, one of the statistical leaders for Cape Verde, will have to be at the top of his game. His record from the opening window reads as follows: 12.3 points per game; 5.3 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists. While Cape Verde will rely on Almeida being at his peak, the veteran player says there are other intangibles required to get the job done.

“It’s about doing whatever the team needs you to do, whether it is scoring, rebounding or passing. You do whatever it takes to help the team win. There won’t always be good days. When it’s not a good day, you have to find other ways to contribute to the team effort,” said Almeida.

One player, who has not made the trip to Tunisia, due to injury is Almeida’s younger brother Ivan. The younger Almeida leads the team in scoring (21 points per game) and rebounding (10 points per game). While Ivan’s production on the court will be missed, Joel believes it’s an opportunity for other players to step up.

“We are going to miss him. He leads us in a lot of statistical categories. He can play multiple positions. He is our leader offensively and defensively. But we are ready. It’s next man up. Now everybody needs to chip in a little extra, for us to achieve our goal,” said Almeida.

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