The 2017-2018 StartTimes National Basketball League officially climaxed last Saturday with an epic game between IPRC- Kigali and IPRC- South, a game that confirmed the top four teams to compete in this season’s playoff games next month.
The two learning institutions entered this game both eligible for the ticket to playoff games with IPRC- South in the fifth place while IPRC- Kigali occupied the sixth place – each side with 20 points. The win to either side was enough to leapfrog Espoir (21 points) in the fourth spot.
IPRC- Kigali overcame IPRC- South 100-88 to secure a spot to the Play-off Games.
Prior to this game, Patriots had already been crowned champions a month earlier.
Patriots dethroned their archrivals REG in their final league game. Despite Patrick Ngwijuruvugo’s REG defeating Patriots in a tightly contested 64-57 victory, it was not enough to help the Energy Group affiliated side retain the championship.
Patriots had beaten REG 75-60 in the first-leg game last December, which theatrically won them the title courtesy of a better head-to-head ratio this season.
For REG to reclaim the league title, they needed a victory with a score-line larger than 15 points of difference but Patriots would not let that happen. They fought so hard to remain unshaken despite the arch-rivals holding control of the game for most of the time.
Following the end of the regular 2017/2018 season, Saturday Sport takes a look at the best performers in every aspect of the game.
But before we do that, it’s worth giving credit to the basketball federation for the efforts to improve the championship and for the first time, the league had a sponsor this season.
In January this year, Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) signed a partnership agreement with Star Times Rwanda worth Rwf75 million to sponsor the national basketball league for the next three years – until 2020.
Top performers
1. Scorers
Armel Sangwe– Espoir (185 points)
To many, this name may sound rather unfamiliar little, little did anyone thought a 17-year old youngster can defy the odds to finish the season as the league’s top-scorer with 185 points.
Despite his team failing to make it to top four, Armel Sangwe who is actually a refugee who fled political unrest in Burundi with his family in 2015, individually contributed 185 points out of 1025 points that the whole team of Espoir managed to score the whole season.
He beat, to the award, two-time league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kami Kabange by one point. The Rwanda international scored 184 points for REG this season while Pascal Niyonkuru, also from Espoir, was the third highest scorer with 160 points.
IPRC- Kigali’s guard Gilbert Nijimbere posted 134 points in fourth position on the list.
2. Assists
Gilbert Nijimbere– IPRC- Kigali (58 assists)
IPRC-Kigali’s Nijimbere who also hails from Burundi, was the player who recorded most assists – totaling to 58 assists. Nijimbere who is also primed for stardom following a very promising debut season with the Kicukiro-based side, beat his closest contestant Espoir’s Philipe Kubanatubane (46 assists) while IPRC- South’s Medard Muberwa made 41 assists in third spot.
3. Rebounds
Bienvenu Niyonsaba– IPRC- South (78 rebounds)
The IPRC- South skipper, Bienvenue Niyonsaba, was the best rebounder this season, recording a total 78 rebounds (both offensive and defensive). REG’s Elie Kaje who missed a number of games following complications in his transfer from Patriots, finished second with 75 rebounds while Espoir’s Regis Gatoto made 74 rebounds.
4. Free throws
Kami Kabange– REG (35 Free throws)
Two-time MVP Kabange posted the most points (35) from free throws, followed by Espoir’s Pascal Niyonkuru (34) and youngster Fiston Irutingabo (33) from IPRC-Kigali whilst wonderkid Sangwe completed top four with 32 free throws.
5. Three-pointers
Armel Sangwe– Espoir (25 points)
Yet again youngster Sangwe was the king of three-pointers, successfully making 25 shots worth 75 points while compatriot Nijimbere of IPRC- Kigali finished second with 17 – worth 51 points.
Chris Walter Nkurunziza who plies his trade at RED, was is third with 16 – worth 48 points.
6. Steals
Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza- REG (21 steals)
Despite not being a regular in REG, young point-guard Nshobozwabyosenumukiza recorded the most steals this season – totaling to 21.
The former U-18 national team player was followed by his teammate Benjamin Mukengerwa who made a total of 17 steals, same tally as IPRC- South’s Medard Muberwa.
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