APR are celebrating their first Basketball league championship in 14 years after completing a sweep of Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in the playoffs finals on Saturday. While the military side lifted the trophy, a number of players from various teams were also recognized for their outstanding performances throughout the season. From Nshobozwa’s MVP honor to Maz Trakh’s coach of the year prize on his league debut, Times Sport takes a look at which player won what. Nshobozwa named playoffs MVP APR point guard Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League playoffs. The 24-year-old played a big role as his team brought its 14-year title jinx to an end after Friday night by beating Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 80-68 in game 4 of the best of seven series final, to be crowned 2023 RBL champions. PHOTOS: Basketball: APR clinch first championship in 14 years In the entire playoffs, Nshobozwa averaged 13.2 points and 2.1 steals 2.1 per game, as well as three assists and 8 rebounds per game. Top scorer of the season: Olivier Turatsinze Espoir may have finished in third place after the playoffs, but Turatsinze was one of the top performers not just for his team but the entire league throughout the season and he deservedly ended up being named to the top scorer of the season. The point guard finished as the leading scorer of the regular season with 507 points. His outstanding performance also saw him named MVP of the regular season. Best 3 points shooter: Patrick Nshizirungu The shooting guard, who currently plays in Orion basketball club, was named best three-point shooter in the regular season after making 53 three pointers. Best defender: Frank Kamndoh Numbers speak for the United Generation Basketball (UGB) Power Forward who made 269 rebounds and 59 blocks. He was arguably named best defender of the season on merit. Coach of the year: Maz Trakh No one else but the American tactician! Trakh brought his experience to the team that was hungry for a championship after years of jinx. And he did it on Saturday when APR were crowned champions of the basketball league for the first time since 2009. A coach of the year prize was a reward of what he has been doing at the military side since his appointment in May. Trakh, 60, previously coached in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an assistant coach for Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons between 2010 and 2014.
