The battle for the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) championship is its crucial stage with four teams now getting ready for the much-anticipated playoffs. While players are out to tussle it out on the court, coaches will be watching every step of the game, orchestrating strategies from the sidelines, fine-tuning tactics pushing to guide their teams to glory. APR, United Generation Basketball (UGB), Patriots, and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) are the four teams that have secured spots in this year’s playoffs. Among them, UGB stands out as the surprise package, as they returned to the playoffs after more than a decade. The teams have made important trades, bringing in international players to boost their playoff hopes but, all in all, it’s the coaches behind the scenes who have played a pivotal role in their success. Here’s a closer look at the tacticians leading the four teams into the playoffs. James Maye Jr (APR) Fresh from guiding the APR to the third place finish in the 2025 Basketball Africa League in Pretoria, the American coach has arguably been the best coach in the Rwandan basketball league this season. Under his leadership, APR, who are reigning back-to-back champions—enter the playoffs as clear favorites. Since his arrival, Maye Jr has turned APR into a dominant force, outshining traditional rivals like Patriots and REG. This season, he led the team to finish top of the regular season standings. ALSO READ: League playoffs 2025: A look at the four qualified teams At 42, Maye is no stranger to international basketball. Before coming to Rwanda, he had coaching stints in countries like Venezuela. 2. Ogoh Odaudu (REG) Nigerian coach Ogoh Odaudu led Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to a second-place finish in the regular season, a performance which is arguably nothing but impressive. Oaduau brings a wealth of international experience to the team as he looks to power REG back to the BAL for the first time since 2022. He was on the sidelines when Nigerian giants Rivers Hoopers finished third in the 2024 BAL season in Kigali. His efforts earned him the BAL 2024 Coach of the Year award, further solidifying his credentials as a top-tier tactician. Olivier Ndayiragije (UGB) One of the most inspiring coaching stories of this season comes from UGB’s Olivier Ndayiragije. Initially appointed as an assistant coach in 2024, the Burundian tactician was promoted to head coach mid-season after former coach Yves Murenzi took on new responsibilities. Since stepping in, Ndayiragije has led UGB to their first playoff appearance in nearly 20 years—a remarkable turnaround from their longstanding setback. He previously coached several teams in his home country, including Burundian powerhouse Dynamo. He now brings a solid résumé to UGB’s Cinderella run. Sunny Niyomugabo (Patriots) At just 35, Sunny Niyomugabo is the youngest and least experienced of the four playoff coaches, but he’s quickly making a name for himself. A former Patriots player and assistant to former coach Henry Mwinuka, Niyomugabo took over head coaching duties this season after Mwinuka's departure. Despite transitioning from professional basketball only in 2023, he’s already showing promise at the helm. Niyomugabo enjoyed a successful playing career. He was instrumental in helping Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) win the 2010/11 league title. He later joined APR for the 2011/12 season, turning down offers from other top clubs like Espoir. Each coach brings a unique story, style, and strategy into the 2025 playoffs, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown not only between teams, but also between minds on the sidelines.
