Patriots Basketball Club have added six new players to their roster preparing for the 2026 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) season, scheduled to tip off in February.

The newcomers include American guard Damaria Franklin from Azomco, Nigerian centre Chingka Kennedy Garba from Orion, small forward Herve Irakoze from Kepler, forward Richard Bizimungu from Azomco, shooting guard Didier Shema from Espoir, and Hubert Sage Kwizera, who joins from Rwanda Energy Group (REG).

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They link up with former APR player Bruno Shema, who joined the club last week as part of Patriots’ extensive offseason recruitment drive.

The reinforcements come after the departure of several key players. Frank Kamndoh, Cadeau de Dieu Furaha, and Elliott Cole have all moved to REG, while Steven Hagumitwari has joined Tigers.

Patriots are aiming to bounce back and return to the top after a disappointing 2025 campaign.