Ivorian & African basketball

Top stories — today’s pick

Rwanda - The Patriots Aim for Victory Against UGB to Retain First Place

Afrique

Rwanda - The Patriots Aim for Victory Against UGB to Retain First Place

On Sunday, April 19, the Rwanda Basketball League resumes with several key matchups. The Patriots, league leaders with 17 points, face United Generation (UGB) at 8:00 PM, looking to maintain their lead over Rwanda Energy Group (REG)—which recently secured a victory against East African University Rwanda (86–67) and currently sits in second place. The RSSB Tigers, currently fifth with 13 points, also impressed with a resounding victory over Inspired Generation (95–52). The head coaches of both teams—Sunny Niyomugabo for the Patriots and Yves Murenzi for UGB—emphasize the significance of this match and the need to remain focused.

Read article

Also worth reading

Latest news

Editorial summaries — filter by topic.

  • D’Tigress placed in Pot 2 for the FIBA World Cup draw
    Afrique

    D’Tigress placed in Pot 2 for the FIBA World Cup draw

    Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has been placed in Pot 2 for the draw of the 2026 FIBA World Cup, which will take place in Berlin on April 21. This edition will mark an expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, with nations such as the United States, France, and Australia in Pot 1. D’Tigress will be making their third World Cup appearance after 2006 and 2018, and are preparing intensively with a WNBA tour in the United States, where they will face several top-level teams. The draw will determine their opponents for the competition, which will be held in Germany from September 4 to 13.

  • Questions about WNBA training camps: team rosters and stats
    NBA

    Questions about WNBA training camps: team rosters and stats

    WNBA training camps begin this Sunday, marking the start of the league’s 30th season, with 15 teams in preparation. Teams, including the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky, are focusing on integrating new players, such as Angel Reese, who joins Atlanta after a trade from Chicago. The Connecticut Sun, in a period of transition ahead of their move to Houston, are relying on young talent, while the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions, aim to maintain their dominance with their star-studded core. The regular season begins on May 8, with high stakes for all teams.

  • LaMelo says there’s no conflict with Bam and is glad he’s okay
    NBA

    LaMelo says there’s no conflict with Bam and is glad he’s okay

    LaMelo Ball, the Hornets’ point guard, avoided a suspension after being penalized with a Flagrant 2 foul on Bam Adebayo during a play-in game against the Heat, where Charlotte won in overtime. Although Ball was fined $60,000 for the foul and for inappropriate comments in a postgame interview, he expressed relief that he did not cause a serious injury to Adebayo. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the play dangerous but agreed that Ball should not face additional punishment. Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball is focused on the upcoming game against the Magic, aiming to end the Hornets’ nine-year playoff drought.

  • Madagascar 3x3 Basketball - Game Day Second Edition: JCBA organizes a fundraiser
    Afrique

    Madagascar 3x3 Basketball - Game Day Second Edition: JCBA organizes a fundraiser

    A 3x3 basketball tournament was organized by the Jeunes Chrétiens club in Côte d'Ivoire as part of a fundraising initiative. The event brought together several teams and players, showcasing local talent and strong community involvement in sports. In parallel, hints of further developments involving Guillaume Soro emerged through the release of secret Russian documents, suggesting potential political implications.

  • What is a sports franchise as the BAL considers a structural change?
    Afrique

    What is a sports franchise as the BAL considers a structural change?

    Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, has announced plans to transform the Basketball Africa League (BAL) into a franchise-based competition. This initiative aims to strengthen the development of basketball in Africa and attract more investment. The change in format is also expected to provide more opportunities for African teams and players on the international stage.

  • Ezi Magbegor pays tribute to Australian WNBA pioneers after signing a lucrative contract
    Afrique

    Ezi Magbegor pays tribute to Australian WNBA pioneers after signing a lucrative contract

    Ezi Magbegor, a WNBA star, recently signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Storm worth an estimated AUD 1.8 million per year, making her one of the highest-paid Australian female athletes. After celebrating this major milestone with her family in Melbourne, she expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career. Magbegor, who won a WNBA championship in 2020 and has competed in two Olympic Games, is now preparing for the new WNBA season starting May 9, while also looking ahead to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in September. She is also excited about the return of her compatriot Jade Melbourne to the team and the growing opportunities for Australian players in the league.

  • Tigers focus on the national league after their historic BAL exploits
    Afrique

    Tigers focus on the national league after their historic BAL exploits

    The RSSB Tigers dominated Inspired Generation with a 109–54 victory in a first-round game at the Petit Stade in February. After shining in Basketball Africa League (BAL) games in South Africa, the Tigers are now focusing on the Rwanda Basketball League, where they finished first in the Kalahari Conference with a 4–1 record. They have therefore qualified for the 2026 BAL playoffs, along with Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly Ly, and Dar City. Star player Craig Randall II set a new BAL record by scoring 54 points in a win against Dar City. The Tigers are preparing to face Inspired Generation again on April 17.