The incident also claimed the life of his mother, Rosine Kabano.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, by family members and close friends, who revealed that the fatal accident occurred the previous night. The family had been residing in Texas, where Kenrik was actively pursuing his basketball career.

Kenrik’s father, Michael Kabano, shared an emotional message expressing the family’s grief, asking for prayers and support during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of both a son and a mother.

Born in Ohio in 2008, Kenrik Kabano had already begun to make his mark in basketball. He represented Rwanda at the FIBA Africa Under-16 Boys Championship 2023 and was considered one of the rising talents expected to feature in future national team competitions, including qualifiers for AfroBasket.

His untimely passing is a significant loss to Rwanda’s sporting community, where he was seen as a player with great potential and a bright future ahead.