The 2024 season of Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) is around the corner as teams get ready to return to action vying for the coveted championship.
Getting underway on Friday, February 9, the league will feature a total of 90 games in the regular season before the top four teams head to the playoffs.
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A host of clubs made major trades which have left their fans excited and with much confidence and huge anticipation for fans good basketball ahead of the new season.
As teams prepare to return to action with great ambitions, Times Sport suggests the favourites, underdogs, and dark horses.
Favourites: APR and REG
The air will be thick with anticipation as defending champions APR and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) promise to potentially go toe-to-toe vying for the championship until the last day of the campaign.
APR
APR ended their 14-year title drought with a convincing 4-0 sweep over rivals REG in the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League finals. Regarded by many as favourites, APR underwent a significant rebuild, making impactful trades at the end of the 2023 season.
Notable additions include point guard Adonis Filer and Michael Dixon who played for REG and Patriots respectively. The club also brought in American Center Dario Nathan Henry Hunt who holds experience in various countries and the NBA Development League. American point guard Zion Styles is another notable addition that coach Mazen Trakh is looking forward to counting on this coming season.
The team’s recent trades reignited the army side’s hunger for glory next season both on domestic and international scene as the club looks to make a big statement at the Basketball Africa League Season 4.
REG
Despite falling short last season, four-time champions REG are aiming to return to the summit of the game. With new head coach Charles Mushumba leading the charge, REG also boasts seasoned players like American shooting guard Cleveland Thomas Jr, Kendall Gray, and Jean-Victor Mukama who all know what it takes to win a championship.
Their experience in crucial moments, combined with a coach familiar with title-winning strategies, you can’t rule REG out among the favourites this season.
Underdogs: Patriots
Crisis club Patriots, competing against top teams like APR, REG, and Kepler, is attracting several top players. The club has recently been hit with player exodus following the departures of Aristide Mugabe and Kendall Gray.
But they remain the Patriots, a club which has quickly established itself as the fan favourite after building a massive fan base.
The club plans to bring in significant players ahead of the playoffs. Despite the current situation, Patriots seem poised for a strong showing in the upcoming season.
Dark horse: Kepler
Newcomers Kepler, recently promoted to the top-flight league after finishing second in last year's second division basketball league, have ambitious plans to challenge the top clubs.
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The addition of seasoned Ugandan tactician Mandy Lutwama Juruni as the head coach and Aristide Mugabe as an assistant coach and player strengthens their roster.