Bienfait: Rising from Humble Beginnings to Court Success

At the height of two meters and three centimeters, 24-year-old Bienfait Muyenzi Nkusi has not only grown in stature but also in skill and character. Born into a modest family of four and raised by a single mother, an educator, Bienfait was instilled early on with the values of responsibility and diligence. His mother, a figure of strength and resilience, managed to keep the family together and support them through thick and thin. Despite the financial struggles, particularly in affording school fees, she remained Bienfait’s hero.

“Being raised by a single mother, you can’t just live anyhow. I learned responsibility very young, even taking care of my older siblings. When people put their efforts together, anything is possible. It’s about doing the work,” he said.

From a young age, basketball emerged as a significant part of Bienfait’s life, especially after United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) provided his community with a basketball court. With limited access to formal coaching, Bienfait drew inspiration from his elder brothers, avid basketball enthusiasts. His initial days on the court began at Groupe Scolaire Kanama-Catholique, located in Rubavu District, where a perceptive coach’s encouraging words, “You can play this sport. You can make it if you train,” resonated deeply, propelling him to concentrate on basketball with renewed vigor.

“My elder siblings started playing and I would go with them to the court. I got to a point where I said I’m also going to play,” he noted.

Bienfait’s journey took a turn for the better when he received a student athlete admission letter from Kepler, an environment that nurtured both his athletic and academic aspirations. Here, as a Power Forward and Center for the Kepler Basketball Club in Division 2 of the Rwanda Basketball League, he celebrated milestones such as winning their first game—a memory he cherishes deeply.

“A place where you play and have the facilities, the coaching, the supportive management, it’s the dream of every player. They are helping us build our confidence to dream and achieve our dreams. I have to achieve my goals,” he said with a smile on his face.

Beyond the court, Bienfait is pursuing a major in Hospitality Management, driven by the desire to excel academically as the first and only college attendee in his family. 

“I also want to study and go as far as possible in my studies because I’m the only one in my family who is going to university. I want to reach where they haven’t been able to reach,” he remarked.

Bienfait’s ambitions are not confined to his personal success; he aims to play at a competitive level in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) or contribute to the national team and uplift his family, inspired by NBA player Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors. His admiration for Kuminga’s hard work and dedication fuels his aspirations to achieve similar heights and even beyond.

Watch the full interview here!