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Bizimana playing for Zhejiang Golden Bulls
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, playing in two FIBA Africa Championships.
Early life[]
Bizimana was born in Gituza commune, Byumba Province, of Hutu ethnicity. He played for Rwandan team APR BC in the 2000 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup, leading his teams in defence, averaging 7.2 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.
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.
Rwanda national team[]
Bizimana had his debut with Rwanda national team at the 2007 AfroBasket in a 64–78 loss against Morocco. He played in one more game, averaging 5.5 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. The team finished 12th out of 16 teams. At the 2009 AfroBasket both Bizimana and Rwanda team did better; he averaged 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in five games, while his team finished 9th.