ANTANANARIVO (The Friday Eurovision) - Guy Edi is making his international bow with Ivory Coast right now and judging from his performance against Rwanda on Wednesday at the Afrobasket in Madagascar, he has a very bright future.

Just 22, the Agboville-born player possesses a wide array of offensive skills.

He may just end up being an Olympian, either next year in London or in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

A 1.96m small forward at Gonzaga University in the United States, Edi led the Ivorians in a wonderful comeback against Rwanda on Wednesday that put the team in the Quarter-Finals.

The silver medal winners two years ago in Libya and participants at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey trailed Rwanda for most of the game and needed a super performance in the last quarter to clinch an 80-72 victory.

At the break, Rwanda were in front 44-33 but Ivory Coast stepped up in the last quarter and went on a 7-0 run to claim a 65-62 advantage.

Edi buried a three-ball and hit a shot inside the arc while Mo Kone converted two precious free-throw opportunities in the spurt.

Rwanda, who were led by Kenneth Gasana's 30 points and four rebounds, managed to pull level three more times at 65-65, 67-67 and 69-69, but Ivory Coast ended up stretching their advantage with an 11-3 run to seal their presence in the last eight.

Edi drilled three shots from long range and ended up with a game-high 34 points.

The small forward who plays at the Gonzaga University in the United States hit all his seven attempts inside the arc.

He was, in a word, unstoppable.

After the game, Edi told FIBA.com his teammates had "encouraged" him "to keep shooting at the right time, that is what I did."

"We had a great comeback in the game," Edi said.

"As we became more focused, we were desperate to win that game."

Now what appears to be a classic confrontation at the Afrobasket is on the cards because in the Quarter-Finals, Ivory Coast will play Senegal.

The Senegalese, who beat defending champions Angola in the Preliminary Round, advanced after whipping Madagascar 92-75 on Wednesday night.

Senegal will start as favorites.

"We know Senegal very well as we have played a couple of friendly games against them," Edi said.

"We know their strengths and weaknesses.

"They have defeated Angola, but now it's a different stage.

"Whoever loses goes home.

"I don't think any team wants to go home early."

Edi, 22, has made quite an impact in his first Afrobasket.

He had 19 points in the team's opening victory over South Africa and now there is the 34-point explosion against Rwanda to tell the folks back in the USA about.

"This is my first African competition," he said.

"I have to say we are here to win, no disrespect to other teams, but we have a goal to accomplish."

Ivory Coast were put on notice early at the Afrobasket that nothing was going to be given to them.

They fell 82-75 to Egypt in their second outing and then 76-70 to heavyweights Cameroon.

The triumph over Rwanda, Edi is hoping, has put the team back on track.

It's not just the win against Rwanda that has put Edi in a good mood.

He says the tournament hosts Madagascar have done a wonderful job making sure the players have everything they need.

"The tournament is well organized," he said.

"We must give credit to Madagascar.

"Everything is done perfectly."

As for his aims, Edi has many.

When the Afrobasket is over, he will turn his attention back to the Zags - a college team in the American state of Washington that many a famous player has turned out for over the years.

John Stockton, who is in the Naismith Hall of Fame and played for the United States Dream Team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, competed at Gonzaga as well as France national team big man Ronny Turiaf.

"My personal goal is to make it to the (NCAA) Final Four with my team," Edi said.

"This would be very exciting for all of us at Gonzaga."

The winners of the Afrobasket will qualify for the London Games.

"The Olympic Games is a dream of any athlete," Edi said.

"For we Ivorians, and with our country living that (political) instability, to make it to London 2012 would be a perfect present to our fans."

FIBA

Jeff Taylor