The 2023 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) playoffs get underway on Wednesday, August 23, at the BK Arena, in what promises to be an action-packed basketball show. Giants Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and the Patriots are joined by APR and Espoir in the contest that will start with a semi-final phase to be played in a best-of-five series, before a final that will be played in a best-of-seven series. The Patriots will be rubbing shoulders with APR in the semi-finals while REG will be up against Espoir. The winner from each matchup will advance to the finals, with a ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) up for grabs for the champions. Times Sport gives a short glimpse into each of the teams featuring in this year’s playoffs. REG BBC For the past two seasons, REG have been a force to reckon with in the domestic league. Since the team's establishment in 2016, it is continuing to become better both on the national and continental scene. The past two years saw them claim two consecutive championships and hence representing the country at the BAL in a back-to-back process. Strengths: Experience, confidence and good players are some of the strengths of REG going into the playoffs. Having claimed the championship on two occasions in a row, the team has good experience and enough confidence to fight for this year’s ring. The fact that they have also been at the BAL twice in the last two years also gives them a boost, since they have competed at such a big stage and fought with big teams. The likes of American point guard Adonis Filer, arguably one of the best in the league, and Congolese center Pitchou Manga are among REG’s top players to watch at the playoffs. Weaknesses: Losing star shooting guard, Cleveland Thomas Jr. to Mexican team Dorados de Chihuahua came as a big blow for REG. The 29-year-old left a big gap that REG will find it difficult to fill. His scoring, passing, and general understanding of the game will be missed throughout the playoffs campaign. Times Sport understands that the team is yet to replace him. Trophy record: REG won their first title in 2017, only a year after its establishment. They returned to the podium in 2021 and 2022, claiming the domestic league trophy in both seasons. The Patriots Based in Kigali, Patriots was established in 2014. It is arguably the most popular basketball team on the local scene, boasting the biggest fan base compared to other teams in the playoffs. The team has four championships to their name but has experienced some disappointment in the past few years, twice suffering defeat in the finals at the hands of REG in the past two years. It started as an informal team of veteran players who only played basketball to stay fit, but with time, its members, who are basketball lovers, thought they could do more. They registered it for the league, and the rest is history. Strength: The fans, ambitious recruitment and hunger for success are key strengths for the Patriots this year. The team has a big fan base that is expected to cheer it on and give it that advantage, but in addition to that, its administrators have made a great statement in the second round of the league by recruiting big players. They have brought in experienced South Sudanese-Lebanese center Ater Majok, American-Georgian point guard Michael Dixon, and Rwandan-Canadian forward Jean Victor Mukama. Weakness: The Patriots seem to have an issue in managing their game until the end. In their final game of the regular season against REG a week ago, they were beaten in the final seconds, thanks to Adonis Filer’s buzzer beater. There are also concerns about whether the new players will easily click, since they have barely played five games together. Trophy record: The Patriots have won the national championship four times: 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. They have also represented the country once at the BAL in 2021 and finished in the semi-finals. APR BBC APR is a Rwandan basketball club owned by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). It is the most decorated team in Rwandan basketball history with 13 championships. Their last trophy was in 2009, and have endured a persistent trophy drought ever since. Last season, they made it to the playoffs only to be eliminated by REG in the best of three semifinals. Strengths: Formidable recruitment and an experienced coach are some of the strengths of APR. In May, the army side announced the appointment of Mazen Trakh, an experienced American tactician as their new head coach. The 60-year-old previously coached in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an assistant coach for Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons between 2010 and 2014. His experience is expected to play a role in the army side’s fight for the trophy. In addition, they have also done some significant trades by signing American point guard De Marcus Holland and British-Rwandan center Prince Ibeh. Weakness: The fact that their coach is only coaching in the Rwanda Basketball League for the first time, and only started in the second round can be challenging since he has to face some coaches who have been there before and are familiar with the league. Trophy Record: APR has won the national championship in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. It has also represented Rwanda at the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup three times. In 2007 they finished in sixth place at the continental showpiece, while in 2008 they were eighth and in 2009 scooped the bronze medal. Espoir BBC Espoir BBC is a Rwandan professional basketball club based in Kigali. Traditionally, the club has been one of the biggest clubs in the past and nurtured lots of talents like Aristide Mugabe, Lionel Hakizimana and Olivier Shyaka who went on to establish themselves among Rwanda’s finest basketball players. Strengths: Fair recruitment and a good history can be of advantage for the team. The team brought in some international players in Pierre Steven and Dondon Elisee from Central Africa Republic in the second round of the regular season and these are expected to play a role in the playoffs. Weakness: The team’s recruitment can barely be compared to its rivals like APR, the Patriots, and REG. Trophy Record: Espoir has won five championships in 2004, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
