The 2024 Rwanda basketball league season has been shaped by a flurry of blockbuster trades that left fans and analysts buzzing. The transactions, from orchestrated trades and free agency signings to contract extensions in large part, affected how each of the 10 top-tier clubs conducted their business on and off the court. Most of the teams made seismic moves, solving their roster dilemma in landing international players, with some going as far as landing NBA-G League talents. Also recruited are diaspora-bound talent with Rwandan roots who jetted back to continue their careers in the domestic league. But it was not just about landing the stints to play in the local league, the majority of the trades lived up to expectations. Here is a look at some of the trades that left a mark in 2024: Isaiah Miller to APR It didn't take the American point guard too long to make his impact noticed since joining APR in July, powering the club to a second straight championship after a 4-2 finals series win over rivals Patriots. Miller’s numbers at APR don’t lie. He was a joy to watch and that went with individual different accolades where he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) courtesy of his stellar performances during the betPawa playoffs. He came at the time APR were on the heels of losing their star point guard Adonis Filer who was sidelined through a lengthy injury that he suffered during the BAL Conference Games in Dakar, Senegal, in May. Filer’s absence was felt during the regular season and Miller had a task to fill the void that not many could afford. But the 182 cm guard delivered. During the 2024 season which closed in September, Miller was named among the bucket getters of the local league. The 26-year-old has previously featured in the NBA training camps with different teams including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Utah Jazz. Stephaun Branch He may not have succeeded in helping Patriots bring the championship home, but Branch played quite an instrumental in leading the club back to their finals appearance after a three-year jinx. During the regular season, Branch was widely recognized as a towering guard who can shoot the basketball, grab rebounds in addition to logging steals and blocks. The 28-year-old is an experienced hooper who has featured for clubs in various countries including Mexico, Romania, Belgium, Israel, Uruguay and his native USA. Branch’s impact on the floor was mainly felt during the playoffs run, where he cemented his name on the local basketball scene. It was not all rosy for the champions APR to go past the Branch-led Patriots, in a finals series which was determined in the last minutes of Game 6. Branch also powered his team to a powerful regular season, where the Patriots side finished at the top of the standings. His mix with William Perry could create a powerful backcourt for the Patriots, should they be maintained in the roster. Chad Bowie Jordan to Kepler The 28-year-old point guard had an impressive 2024 season in Kepler’s colours, finishing as the top scorer with 410 points. He also added 62 steals on top of being the third best three-point shooter with 54 points scored from three pointers. Bowie joined the Kepler side in their first ever season as a top-tier club in the Rwanda Basketball League. He went on to power the team to the playoffs before Patriots eliminated them with clean sweep in the semifinals playoffs. At Kepler, Bowie finds himself in arguably one of the most ambitious sports projects in the country. Bowie previously plied his trade in the US and Canada. He revealed his move to Rwanda was motivated by the fact that he wanted to expand his experience and show his level of play. He was also eager to experience new things and see new places. Osborne Shema After a successful college basketball journey in the US, talented forward Osborne Shema jetted back to Rwanda where he joined APR. The 26-year-old previously played for various US schools since 2017. He graduated from Iona University in New York this year and returned home to continue his basketball career at the army side. “I want to become a great player, a great person; and I want to leave a good legacy. So, I am really looking to invest a lot of time in becoming a professional basketball player,” Shema told The New Times in an earlier exclusive interview. APR have a clear project aimed at dominating Rwanda and Africa, and Shema believes he fits very well in it, as he looks to help the army side win titles and make an impact on the national team as well. Antino Jackson Antino’s move to Rwanda Energy Group (REG) is arguably one of the trades that sent the local fanbase in a buzz considering the skills he showed on the basketball court. Jackson, 28, joined the electricians earlier in 2024 before crossed over to APR at the end of the season. Despite falling short of a championship, Antino’s first season was enough for him to prove his worth. He was among leading players in points, and assists last season. He powered the energy side to the playoffs before being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champions APR. REG finished in third place.
