Ivan Almeida

Ivan Almeida (born 10 May 1989) is a Cape Verdean professional basketball player for Kriol Star of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he usually plays as small forward. He also plays for the Cape Verde national team.

Ivan Almeida

No. 96 – Kriol Star
Position	Shooting guard / small forward
League	BAL
Personal information
Born	(1989-05-10) 10 May 1989 (age 36) Praia, Cape Verde
Listed height	1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight	94 kg (207 lb)
Career information
College	Stonehill (2009–2011)
NBA draft	2012: undrafted
Playing career	2011–present
Career history
2011–2012	Sampaense
2012	AD Bairro
2012–2013	Vitória de Guimarães
2013	AD Bairro
2013–2015	Lille Métropole
2015–2016	Chorale Roanne
2016–2017	Cholet
2017–2018	Włocławek
2018–2019	BC Kalev
2019	Włocławek
2019	Nymburk
2019	Galitos Barreiro
2020	Universo Treviso
2020	Ironi Nahariya
2020–2022	Włocławek
2021–2024	Benfica
2024	Sporting CP
2024	Al Ahli Tripoli
2024–2025	Valtur Brindisi
2025–present	Kriol Star
Career highlights
All-BAL Second Team (2025) BAL All-Defensive Second Team (2025) 2× PLK champion (2018, 2019) PLK Most Valuable Player (2018) PLK Finals MVP (2019) 3× Portuguese League champion (2022, 2023, 2024) 2× Portuguese Cup winner (2013, 2023) Portuguese League Cup winner (2024) Portuguese Supercup champion (2023) All-PLK Team (2018) Polish Supercup winner (2017) Polish Supercup MVP (2017) LNB Pro B Best Scorer (2015)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Cape Verde Lusophony Games 2009 Portugal Team 2006 Macau Team

His brother Joel also plays professional basketball.^[1]

Professional career

In August 2017, Almeida signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League (PLK). In September 2017 he won the Polish SuperCup with Anwil Włocławek, winning over Stelmet Zielona Góra, 92–88.^[2] He scored 23 points in his debut and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.^[3] In the following 2017–18 season, Almeida was named the PLK Most Valuable Player.^[4] Almeida averaged 17.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He signed with Estonian club Kalev/Cramo on 24 August 2018.^[5]

On 8 October 2019, he has signed with ČEZ Nymburk of the NBL.^[6]

On 20 January 2020, he has signed with Universo Treviso Basket of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).^[7]

The 2019–20 season in Italy was cancelled early due to the COVID-19 pandemic but in Israel it was restored and Almeida signed with Ironi Nahariya on 26 May 2020 for the end of the season.^[8] He averaged 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game. On 15 September 2020, Almeida signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League.^[9]

On February 22, 2022, he has signed with Benfica of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol.^[10]

In October 2024, Almeida joined Libyan national champions Al Ahli Tripoli ahead of their participation in the Road to BAL.^[11]

On October 25, 2024, he signed with Valtur Brindisi of the Serie A2.^[12] In May 2025, Almeida played in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with Kriol Star, a team from his native country that he co-founded with his brother Joel. He helped the team reach the playoffs, and was named to the BAL All-Defensive Second Team.^[13] On June 18, Almeida was named to the All-BAL Second Team.^[14] He averaged 13.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game over the season.^[15]

International career

Almeida played for Cape Verde's national basketball team on many occasions. At the 2015 AfroBasket, he recorded the most assists, steals and blocks for his team.^[16]