APR BBC is aiming for the second consecutive Rwanda Basketball League title and their fifteenth overall since 1995 as the season begins on Friday, February 9, hoping to solidify their era-defining status both locally and internationally
The reigning champions face Mandy Juruni’s Kepler in their opening game at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium, looking to build on a stellar pre-season that saw them win the Legacy competition.
The offseason saw several players & coaches move around the league, which could result in interesting storylines to monitor this season. Teams are few sessions into training camp and should have a clearer idea of how successful they will be this season.
Among the notable moves, Kenneth Gasana, Kendal Gray, and Victor Mukama all moved to REG BBC, Francis Azolipe and Patrick Nshizirungu joined Tigers while Aristide Mugabe ended up with Kepler.
William Perry and Frank Kamndoh joined the Patriots while the reigning champs looked overseas.
APR brought in Americans Zion Styles, Adonis Filer, Michael Andre Dixon, and Dario Hunt, while Amissi Said Dany, Chris Omanye, and Gatwang Thuok crossed the border from Uganda to join UGB, Titans, and Tigers respectively.
Charles Mushumba took over in Rwanda Energy Group.
The league’s best teams are packed. APR BBC, REG BBC, and the Patriots are the front-runners for the crown this season. Several other teams, like UGB and Kepler, are barely behind them following excellent off seasons.
Espoir BBC did not make any splashy moves this offseason, but they still have Olivier Turatsinze, last season MVP. Enough to be regarded
With the bulk of the games to be played at Lycée de Kigali, the 2023 playoff finalists begin their season by welcoming league newcomers. APR will be up to Kepler, while REG BBC will rub shoulders with the Inspired Generation.
The stakes are high for the Army side, the most successful team in the Rwanda Basketball League, as the 14-time champions begin the 2024 season with a well-equipped coaching staff, deep squad, and a technical and logistical readiness.
However, the debate persists among basketball devotees. “Does APR have all of the necessary components to defend its league title?”
APR Basketball Club ended their 14-year title curse by sweeping REG BBC in the playoff finals to win the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League.
Under the guidance of Maz Trakh, former Detroit Pistons assistant coach, APR began early preparations by bringing in high-profile players throughout the continent and expanding his backroom staff to further emphasize the club’s lofty aim for the next season.
Ground Sports tried to get hold of a few journalists and analysts who follow basketball in Rwanda on a regular basis to help us share their perspectives on APR’s hegemony and the odds to retain the title.
According to Guillaume Nkomeje, sports media personnel devoted to Basketball for years, APR’s ambitions in their maiden BAL season give them a tremendous opportunity to win a back-to-back league title
“APR, the league’s defending champions, have a group capable to defend their league crown. They overhauled their roster by adding quality foreigner players to the best Rwandan players. and, as the team prepares to compete in the next BAL, they left no stone untouched to be country’s proud flag-bearers” declared Mr. Nkomeje
He added; “With the hiring of new assistant coach [Billy Bayno], their aspirations in BAL are clear, which provides them the great potential to win a back-to-back league title.”
Speaking with Osée Elvis Byiriringo, a writer at IGIHE who avidly follows basketball, He believes that the story will be if APR doesn’t win the league.
Byiringiro said “APR managed to keep all of its best players while signing the elite players from their opponents. In addition, they also attracted competent players from the United States to assemble a formidable roster.”
“Maz Trakh’s continued involvement in the club is significant. He is a brilliant strategist who has demonstrated a high level of competence in reading the game, and he has been provided an opportunity to employ an assistant of high caliber, which guarantees ludicrous league supremacy”
“Five-star APR accept no excuses for players who fail to deliver. And given that the entire group of players are professionals who are solely focused on basketball, they have plenty of time to practice and build team chemistry” he said
We also spoke with Didier Amen Byiringiro, RBA journalist who kept eye on APR’s activities throughout the trades, preparations and friendly matches, and he affirms that no team can match APR’s readiness for the upcoming season.
“APR’s preparations leave their opponents no room to dethrone them. When I look at the roster, coaching staff, team’s ability and ambition, I’m scared to predict that the league might be a one-horse race.” Didier said
He continued “Last season, APR had a solid bunch but lacked an influential leader on the floor. They have now brought in Adonis Filer and Mike Dixon. They also signed frontcourt players to make a well-balanced roster.”
“And given that the general assembly adopted a new quota for foreigners who have been playing in the league for three years, Maz Trakh’s tasks of picking players has been eased. Players like Bush Wamukota are now eligible to play as a national.” Didier told Ground Sports
In short, Guillaume, Elvis, and Didier all agree that APR had a great offseason, and since they are financially sound, they can accomplish a fantastic season and absolutely defend the league title.
APR BBC won the league for the first time in 14 years last season. Maz Trakh stated in an interview with Igihe that they want to win the league title again this year, but with due respect for their opponents.
The team’s quest to defend the title start with Kepler and Inspired Generation in the first and second games, respectively, before traveling to Qatar for a 10-day training camp to hone their preparations for the 2024 BAL season.
