Quinn Cook, a two-time NBA champion, has faced the loss of two international basketball opportunities this year due to political issues related to his home country, the United States, as he informed ESPN’s Andscape on Wednesday.
Cook recently reached an agreement to join Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball Club (APR BBC) for the upcoming 2026 Basketball Africa League season. However, the five-year NBA veteran guard stated that he was informed on Tuesday that APR BBC decided against participating in the BAL due to a political impasse involving the United States and Rwanda.
At 32 years old, Cook also had a contract in place earlier in January to play in Iran, but he chose not to proceed due to concerns over a potential conflict between the United States and Iran that is currently occurring.
“Throughout my life, basketball has never been interrupted by political events happening globally,” Cook shared with Andscape during a phone conversation. “This is a first for me, but it highlights that there are greater aspects to life beyond basketball. For those who rely on basketball for joy and employment, it is essential to recognize that there are larger issues at play.”
“Naturally, I identify as a basketball player first. That is my primary occupation. This experience has encouraged me to explore other avenues so that when I conclude my playing career in five or six years, I will have opportunities awaiting me.”
APR BBC secured its place in the upcoming BAL season as the champion of the Rwandan league and is managed by the Rwandan Ministry of Defence. The team was scheduled to compete against Libya Al Ahly Ly in the BAL opener on March 27 in Kalahari Conference play in Pretoria, South Africa.
Earlier this month, the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on “several senior Rwandan officials for contributing to instability” in eastern Congo. Following this development, APR BBC, based in Kigali, Rwanda, opted not to participate in the BAL.
The head coach of APR BBC is James Maye Jr., an American who previously trained Cook and recruited him to the team. Cook mentioned that he also spoke with former NBA guard Chasson Randle, who shared his positive experiences while playing for APR BBC.
Cook finalized his contract with APR BBC on March 5, and the Maryland native was looking forward to visiting Africa for the first time and having his family watch his BAL games on NBATV.
However, Cook began to feel uneasy when he entered the week without a flight to Kigali to train with APR BBC for the BAL season.
“I was feeling down and disappointed yesterday when I learned I wouldn’t be going,” Cook said. “It has been challenging for me to get overseas. So, when I finally commit to something and prepare myself for it, rationalizing that I would be away for a month or two, I am ready to go. And then, you find out you can’t go. Not again. But it’s okay. I will keep working.”
The BAL will feature preliminary games this season in Pretoria, South Africa, and Rabat, Morocco. The playoffs and championship game, scheduled to take place in Kigali from May 22-31, are still anticipated to occur, according to a source who spoke with Andscape.
APR BBC is expected to be substituted by another Rwandan team, as per a source. Candidates include Patriots BBC, Tigers BBC, and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) BBC, according to Rwanda Updates Official.
Cook expressed his willingness to consider signing with another BAL team.
“I have never visited Africa,” Cook stated. “I was eager to explore it. I also intended to travel with my mom and sister. Rwanda was a destination we were supposed to visit, but now I will have to wait and see. Everything happens for a reason, but I hope BAL teams recognize that I am available and open to playing for another team.”
In early January, Cook had agreed to terms with Esteghlal BC of the Iranian Basketball Super League in Tehran, but concerns about a possible war between the U.S. and Iran troubled Cook, his mother, and sister. He ultimately decided against going in late January, prior to the onset of military conflict between the U.S. and Israel with Iran on February 28.
“I had a deal in Iran, but obviously, events unfolded with the government following the back and forth between Iran and America,” Cook explained. “So I didn’t feel safe going. I ended up not going, and then I received the offer from the BAL. … I didn’t fully grasp the political situation, but now I am paying attention because it is significantly impacting my livelihood.”
Cook averaged 6.4 points and 1.6 assists over 188 NBA games with the Mavericks, Pelicans, Warriors, Lakers, and Cavaliers. The former Duke standout secured NBA championships with the Warriors in 2018 and the Lakers in 2020. The two-time G League All-Star has also played internationally in Russia, China, Puerto Rico, and Saudi Arabia.
His last professional game was in April 2025 for the Fujian SBS Xunxing Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Cook is currently training in Maryland, hoping to secure a job soon in a safe environment.
“I am trying to navigate this basketball situation overseas,” Cook remarked. “It is not as straightforward as the NBA. It has been challenging to find a stable place to play. I have been moving around a bit.”
