Obadiah Arthur Noel, a player for APR BBC originally from the United States, has officially been granted Rwandan citizenship under the legal provisions that allow individuals with exceptional talent to acquire nationality due to their potential contribution to the country. This development was confirmed by APR BBC Team Manager Zigirinshuti Daniel, who stated that Noel’s application went through the proper legal channels after he was identified as a high-level athlete.
The 26-year-old first appeared in Rwanda in 2024 when he joined APR BBC to compete in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Since then, his talent has made him stand out as a potential key figure in the growth of basketball in Rwanda.
According to Rwanda’s Nationality Law of July 16, 2021, individuals with unique skills needed by the country may be granted citizenship. It is under this law that Obadiah received his Rwandan nationality, which gives him the same rights and responsibilities as any citizen by origin.
While it has not been officially confirmed whether he will immediately join the national basketball team, the citizenship opens the door for him to be eligible to represent Rwanda in international competitions—particularly in the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket tournament to be held in Angola in August 2025.
Obadiah expressed pride and excitement about becoming Rwandan through a post on his Instagram account, where he shared his new national ID and conveyed his appreciation for being granted citizenship.
