After completing his move to Tigers Basketball Club, star power-forward Steven Hagumintwari has talked about the reason why he joined the team and what he wants to achieve with it. The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with the club, ending a decade-long spell with the Patriots, where he had played since 2014. Hagumintwari is recognised as one of the best forwards in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). His switch marks a significant addition for Tigers, who have been strengthening their roster ahead of the new season. The club’s president, Francis Shyaka, confirmed to Times Sport that the experienced power forward has officially signed with the team. Speaking about his decision to join Tigers, Hagumintwari said the two sides were able to reach an agreement that suits them both. He pointed out that he is excited for the new challenge and wants to play a role in Tigers' ambitions to win. He expressed appreciation for his time with the Patriots, pointing out great memories of how the team qualified for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), though he also admitted that there were challenges as they failed to qualify again. Hagumintwari is known for his strong two-way play, reliable in both offense and defence. His arrival at Tigers follows that of American-Rwandan point guard Antino Jackson, 29, who also joined Tigers from APR last month on a two-year deal. The team hopes that with their new signings, they can mount a serious challenge in the upcoming RBL season. Hagumintwari told Times Sport that winning the league is possible for the club. At Tigers, the forward is linking up with his former coach Henry Mwinuka who was previously at the helm of Patriots Basketball Club.
