2018: The year of unprecedented rise and milestones for youth basketball

This year was one of mixed fortunes for domestic basketball, but, to a larger extent, there was a significant improvement, and notable milestones – especially in youth basketball. To mention a few; Junior NBA was introduced in the country, two Rwandans landed contracts with basketball teams of American universities, national youth teams conquered the region and went on to impress on continental level. For the first time since January 2013, Rwanda men’s senior team overcame their Ugandan counterparts, during first round qualifiers – in Lagos, Nigeria – of the 2019 FIBA World Cup. After a few years of steady progress and winning the hearts of many thanks to their signature Friday Nightbasketballbrand, the national basketball league finally landed a titanic partnership – a three-year sponsorship deal with the Bank of Kigali worth Rwf300 million. In this issue, Saturday Sports takes a look at some of the biggest basketball moments in 2018. Youth teams shine in region & continent Rwanda dominated this year’s FIBA Africa U18 Zone V championships held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in June, as both the boys’ team – coached by Yves Murenzi – and ladies squad, under the tutelage of Charles Mushumba, emerged regional champions to secure spots to the 2018 FIBA U18 African Basketball Championships – U18 Afrobasket. While the boys, who overpowered Uganda 83-50 in the final, had previously competed in a couple of U18 Afrobasket finals tournaments, it was the first time for Mushumba’s youthful side to qualify for the continental showpiece, which was held in Maputo, Mozambique in July. Despite being their debut on continental scene, the resilient Rwandan side managed to finish fourth, only behind powerhouse Mali, hosts Mozambique and Angola. US-based Bella Murekatete was named on the All-Star Team of the tournament, her second time following the same recognition during the U16 edition in Madagascar, in 2016. Meanwhile in the 2018 FIBA Men’s U18 African Championship, Rwanda finished in sixth position out of eleven teams in the competition, which was also scooped by Mali after beating Senegal 78-76 in the final. The tournament, which was its 21st edition, was staged in Mali. Shema, Murekatete land lucrative contracts Center Murekatete, 18, and Osborn Shema, 20, were last month signed by Washington State University Women’s basketball team and Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s basketball team, respectively. They signed four-year deals, each, with the American sides. Shema, who was spotted during the 2015 Giants of Africa camp in Kigali, had been on a scholarship at Glove Prep Christian Academy since 2016 prior to crossing to Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. On the other hand, Rwanda international Murekatete had been featuring for Genesis Preparatory Academy in Richmond, Virginia since 2016 following her stellar performance at the 2016 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Washington State University Women’s basketball team competes in the Pac-12 Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), while Florida Gulf Coast Eagles currently features in the Atlantic Sun Conference. REG for inaugural FIBA AfroLeague After failing to impress on domestic scene, trailing behind bitter rivals Patriots both in the national basketball league in May and Play-off Games in July, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) regrouped to finish third at this year’s FIBA Africa Zone 5 championships held in Tanzania. And as a result, they qualified for the inaugural FIBA AfroLeague, which will tip off in January 2019. The continent’s premier club competition has been revitalized from twelve teams to a sixteen-team format, divided into 4 groups of 4 teams each. Patrick Ngwijuruvugo’s side will represent the Zone V region along with Egyptian sides Al Ahly and Smouha. Heavyweights Al Ahly defeated compatriots Smouha 68-67 in a very highly contested final to win Zone 5 Championship, which also doubled as qualifiers for FIVA AfroLeague in October. Patriots dominate REG Two-time champions Patriots did not only dethrone REG for the league title, but also edged them 3-1 in the best-of-five finals series to retain the Playoffs title. Patriots point guard Sedar Sagamba was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season, snatching the accolade from REG star center Kami Kabange. The red and black outfit, REG, had claimed the league title in their debut season last year. Ferwaba, BK ink Rwf300m sponsorship deal Rwanda Basketball Federation (Ferwaba) landed a Rwf300 million partnership deal with the Bank of Kigali (BK) as the main sponsor of the national basketball league and other major basketball tournaments for the next three years – till 2021. The partnership was signed on November 23 at the bank’s headquarters, and started effective with the ongoing 2018-2019 season. According to Desire Mugwiza, Ferwaba president, the sponsorship’s primary objective is to focus on Youth Basketball Development – Junior League for both girls and boys aged under 18. Of the annual Rwf100 million installment, 80 per cent will go into technical organisation, while 20 per cent will cater for awards to the best teams and players. Rwanda beat Uganda for first time in five years The national men’s senior basketball team ended their five-year winless streak against Uganda in July, finally, beating them 92-79 in a winner-take-all clash to advance to the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup – African Qualifiers. The two sides battled for the last Group B ticket to the second round of qualifiers. Rwanda went into the game with an ‘underdog tag’ compared to a confident Ugandan side that had won the last four meetings between the two neighboring countries since 2015. Uganda had not lost to Rwanda since January 2013 at the FIBA Africa Zone 5 championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. However, Rwanda failed to impress in the second round qualifiers as Vladimir Bosnjak’s men suffered three defeats, in as many games, at the hands of Senegal, Ivory Coast and Central African Republic. The competition was held at the Indoor Sports Hall in Nigeria. Jnr NBA League launched in Rwanda Green Hills Academy and ADEGI Gituza were in October crowned champions of the maiden season of the youth basketball championship – also known as Junior NBA Rwanda League. Green Hills Academy claimed the boys’ league title after dominating Musanze-based Sonrise 54-28 in the final, while ADEGI Gituza beat ISF Nyamasheke 51-39 to lift the title in girls’ category. In partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Ferwaba inaugurated the Junior NBA Rwanda League in March, which is a school-based basketball programme for boys and girls aged between 10 and 14 years. The league featured 30 teams from schools across Rwanda, competing in Eastern and Western Conferences, with each school representing one of the 30 NBA teams. editorial@newtimes.co.rw