APR basketball club have added star point guard Adonis Filer and center Kendall Gray to their roster for the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL), Times Sport has learnt.
The trades, celebrated by many as historic, leaves rivals Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Patriots at the edge of the cliff, after losing arguably two of the Rwanda basketball league’s hottest talents to the army side.
APR were crowned champions of the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League on September, 8 after a sweep on REG in the finals brought 14-year title-drought to an end.
With the championship, the club booked their first ever ticket to the BAL, where they will be representing Rwanda.
Adonis, 30, is not new to the party, having previously featured for REG BBC during their BAL campaign in the past two seasons, despite falling short in the tourney’s quarter finals.
Gray is, on the other hand, new to the continental stage.
The trade comes at a time when APR management recently disclosed the possibility of signing American guard Michael Dixon who featured for Patriots during the playoffs of the league recently.
ALSO READ: APR in ‘advanced’ talks with Dixon ahead of BAL
Once complete, APR would arguably have the most solid back court in the network of Adonis, Dixon, Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza as well as Ntore Habimana.
What expertise are they bringing to APR?
Adonis Filer
Filer’s scoring rate and dictation of play are among top qualities that define the player who was a key figure in REG’s triumphs during the past two seasons.
He helped the club win two consecutive domestic league titles (2022 and 2023), and back-to-back qualification to the prestigious BAL.
ALSO READ: Adonis Filer: The American point guard rolling his basketball magic in Rwanda
His quick impact to the Rwandan basketball league undoubtedly shows how far he has established himself as a force to reckon with.
The American point guard also made key contributions to REG’s BAL endeavors as he made a higher number of assists during the tournament.
One of the great games he played during the BAL was against AS Sale where he not only contributed 14 points for REG, but also established a new BAL record with 14 assists.
Kendall Lamar Gray
Gray is an experienced player who has featured for various teams in the United States of America, Africa and Europe.
He earns a vote of confidence to play for elite clubs of APR caliber thanks to playing college basketball and going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft.
ALSO READ:Kendall Gray on his desire to guide Rwanda to FIBA World Cup
Gray is famous for great defence skills on the court.
If you have watched some of the recent matches in which the centre has featured for the national team, there is little left to say about his defensive power.
ALSO READ: What will Kendall Gray bring to Patriots ahead of the playoffs?
He knows how to make timely blocks, plays a physical game, in addition to which he can do some scoring in the paint.
Equally important, Gray is an ambitious player who loves winning.