With less than 21 days remaining until the start of the new Rwanda Basketball League season on February 9, clubs are continuing to prepare for the competition. This year's championship promises to be more competitive as clubs have invested in acquiring new talents, while some have even secured new coaches. ALSO READ: Rwanda Basketball League: Five key things to watch in the 2024 season In this article, Times Sport presents four of the most significant transfer deals made by local clubs, that could make impact when the season starts. 1. Cleveland Thomas Jr to Rwanda Energy Group (REG) After a brief stint in the Mexican league, American shooting guard Cleveland Thomas Jr has returned to Rwandan side REG, and is projected to contribute significantly in the upcoming season. It is not clear whether he will debut in the regular season or will be introduced during the playoffs. Considering the anticipated fierce competition in the regular season, a debut then would make more strategic sense. ALSO READ: Cleveland Thomas inches closer to REG return Thomas Jr's recent stint with the Mexican side, Dorados de Chihuahua, from August to October 2023, continued to show what he can do on the court. In 16 matches, he accumulated 201 points, 41 rebounds, and 66 assists in 481 minutes. Cleveland was a key player for REG in 2022 and 2023, playing a key role as the team won two consecutive national basketball league championships (2022 and 2023) and twice qualifying them to the quarterfinals of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). 2. Dario Hunt to APR American Center Dario Nathan Henry Hunt who joined APR this year is also a significant addition to the league. At 34, Hunt brings a wealth of experience from playing in various teams across the United States, Australia, and Europe. He played in countries like Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, and the NBA Development League. He is expected to play a good role in APR's quest for the 2024 Basketball Africa League, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is deployed in the local league since the competition is expected to be tough. 3. Michael Dixon to APR American guard Michael Dixon who joined APR from rivals Patriots BBC, is also reckoned to be impactful during the 2023/2024 local league. The 32-year-old is a seasoned and skilled player who has featured in various leagues, including the Czech National League, the Greek Basket League, the Turkish Basketball First League, and so on. He also has experience on the African continent, having played for US Monastir during their trophy winning season (2022) at the BAL, where he put up a good show. 4. Carmelo Saidi (UGB) DR Congolese power forward Carmelo Saidi is a notable mention among the trades made by local clubs this year. Joining United Generation Basketball (UGB), Saidi brings experience from his previous teams like Uganda's Nam Blazers and Rwanda's IPRC Kigali.
