United Generation Basketball (UGB) have announced the signing of South African power forward Sandile Sibonyine ahead of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old, who previously featured for Made by Basketball (MBB) during the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL), has joined the club on a one-year deal. “He is going to add value to our squad, which has not changed much. Last season was bright for us despite not reaching our ultimate goal,” UGB vice-president Kenny Mugarura told Times Sport. “We are coming back to correct those shortcomings, and bringing in Sibonyine strengthens the journey we started.” Standing at 2.15 metres, Sibonyine is expected to bolster UGB, who finished in the top four of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League. He made his BAL debut in the 2022 season, averaging 5.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game during his rookie campaign. Sibonyine brings significant BAL experience, having been one of MBB’s key players despite the South African side missing out on a place in the conference finals, which were held on home soil. He also holds the BAL single-game rebounding record, having pulled down 25 rebounds in one match. In 2024, he joined Burundian giants Urunani in the Burundian Basketball Championship. During his stint with the club, he set a league rebounding record with 23 rebounds against Remesha. Sibonyine went on to win the championship with Urunani following a seven-game finals victory over Dynamo and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Sibonyine is expected to link up with UGB for pre-season training in early January 2026.
