Ignace Bizimana

Ignace Bizimana (23 February 1981) is a Rwandan professional basketball player currently playing for Dortmund SFC as a center. Bizimana has played in various teams all around the globe and is known for his appeal in rebounding and blocking. He was also a member of his country's national team, from 2006 until 2010.

College career
In 2002, Bizimana was recruited to the University of Rhode Island to play with the Rhode Island Rams. As a freshman, he proved his defensive value by finishing the season as his team's leading blocker. He got more time as a sophomore, starting in 20 of 28 games for the Rams. He subsuequently improved in scoring and finished as the league's fourth-leading shot blocker.

Bizimana continued his progression during his junior and senior years, but a severe injury in 2006, riveted him on the bench. He had 7.5 points, 8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 0.7 assists per game in his last season with the Rams.

Professional career
In June 2006, Bizimana was selected in the second round, 58th overall, in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He was quickly waived and on November was signed by the NBA Development League's Maine Red Claws. He had a quite good season, leading his team in rebounding.

In July 2007, Bizimana signed with Italian Victoria Libertas Pesaro. He played for one seasons there, becoming the team's leader in defence. Despite his good games though, Pesaro did not renew his contract and thus he was signed to the Spanish CB Valladolid. His performances greatly helped his new team to promote to the Liga ACB. Bizimana played two more seasons with Valladolid, before moving to China. He played one season in Zhejiang Golden Bulls, gaining considerable time participation.

Bizimana signed with an one-year contract Dortmund SFC in July 2012. In his very first season in Brunant, he lead the league in blocking and was therefore named BBL Defensive Player of the Year. Dortmund extended the contract with Bizimana until the summer of 2015.