Abouo Playing for Cote d'Ivoire National Team

LAS PALMAS, Spain – BYU guard/forward Charles Abouo is gaining valuable experience as a member of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) National Team this summer.

Cote d’Ivoire recently played in the Las Palmas Tournament in Spain. Abouo tied for a team high with 12 points in an 85-70 loss to Spain. Abouo and Cote d’Ivoire were competitive for much of the contest, trailing 38-34 at the half and by just two at 58-56 in the third quarter.

Three of the five starters for Spain — Juan Carlos Navarro, Marc Gasol and Rudy Fernandez — play significant roles for their respective NBA teams. Another starter, Ricky Rubio, was the fifth pick in the 2009 NBA Draft but has continued to play professionally in Spain.

The Las Palmas Tournament is a preparatory tournament for the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Cote d’Ivoire qualified for the World Championships last summer by taking second at the 2009 Afrobasket Tournament. Abouo averaged 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds at Afrobasket.

CLICK HERE for more news on the Cote d’Ivoire National Team.

CLICK HERE for the Cote d’Ivoire team profile — including roster and schedule — for the 2010 World Championships. Cote d’Ivoire will play in Group C with Turkey, China, Russia, Greece and Puerto Rico. Play starts Aug. 28.

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Highlights from Cote d'Ivoire vs. Spain

Abouo's highlights

00:26 - Corner three

00:33 - Layup

00:51 - Left-handed layup

03:55 - Deep three

06:39 - Assist