Ade upbeat about Cameroon’s WOQT chances

BALTIMORE (2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Cameroon small forward Achiri Ade got limited playing time at AfroBasket Women 2015 but believes she can contribute a lot more at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) in Nantes, France (13-19 June).

The former A&M Texas standout averaged 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game as Cameroon finished runners-up of the African championship held in the Cameroonian capital city of Yaounde last October.

The home side reached the Final with seven wins in as many games, but an 81-66 defeat to Senegal ended their hopes of claiming a first-ever continental trophy.

However, Ade feels it is time to stand up and get ready to help the Central Africans succeed in Nantes. In a little over three months, Cameroon will play in the WOQT's Group B against Argentina and Turkey.

In order to keep their Olympic aspirations alive, they will need to win at least one game in the Group Phase to fight for one of the five places up for grabs for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Talking to FIBA.com, the 1.85m forward said: "I'm excited for the Cameroon national team. Hopefully, I will be available to participate if I'm called up to play.

"I am doing well, and [am] just trying to stay in shape and be ready if I am called back."

Cameroon, who are targeting an Olympic debut, will take part in the WOQT for the first time and Ade remains upbeat about her country's chances in France.

Whoever the national federation chooses to bring back, I know it will be a fight for our country. We have a great chance of making it to Rio. - Ade

Looking back on her debut with Cameroon last year, the Baltimore native took away a lot of positives from her experience in Africa.

"I learned a lot while playing at AfroBasket Women. I learned a lot about myself, my country Cameroon, the style of play and the FIBA game rules," she recalled.

Cameroon will open their Group B campaign against Argentina on 13 June before squaring off against Turkey the following day.