Grant Wallace, an Australian basketball coach, has been appointed as the head coach for the Kenya Morans team in preparation for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers.
The team is set to commence training next week, gearing up for the first window of the qualifiers, which includes Groups B (Uganda), D (Madagascar and Djibouti), and E (Kenya). This phase is scheduled to take place from February 19-27 at a venue yet to be determined.
Angela Luchivya, Secretary of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF), announced the appointment, revealing that Wallace will join the technical bench on a medium-term contract. The federation aims to benefit from Wallace’s vast experience, diverse coaching styles, and tactical expertise, leveraging the strategic approach that Australia is known for.
Wallace, expected to arrive in the country early next month, will be assisted by Cliff Owuor, Ancette Wafula, and Harrison Kaudia. Owuor and Wafula previously handled the national side during last year’s FIBA AfroCan championship in Luanda, Angola, where the Morans finished in the sixth position.
In addition to the coaching staff, a 30-man squad, including 13 diaspora-based players, has been selected for training. Nairobi City Thunder players dominate the call-ups with eight representatives, while Moischers, a second-tier team, contributes one player.
The selected squad includes players from various international locations, showcasing the diverse talent in the diaspora. Notable names in the squad are Desmond Owili and Preston Bungei from Australia, Joel Awich and Ambaka Le Gregam from France, and Valentine Nyakinda from the USA.
The coaching team, led by Grant Wallace, aims to prepare the team effectively for the upcoming qualifiers, bringing together a mix of local and diaspora-based talent. The focus is on leveraging diverse coaching perspectives and the strategic expertise of the newly appointed head coach.
The Squad
Players
Desmond Owili
Preston Bungei (Australia)
Joel Awich
Ambaka Le Gregam (France)
Ronald Gundo Albert Odero
Evans Ojuang
Valentine Nyakinda (USA)
Tylor Ongwae (Germany)
Derick Ogechi (Spain)
Peter Sifuma (UCU Uganda)
Bramwell Muchina (Pazi, Tanzania)
Bush Wamukota (Rwanda)
Victor Bosire
Ivan Ombiro (Equity Bank)
Griffin Ligare
Ariel Ortega
Ariel Okall
Faheem Juma
Ken Wachira
Derick Olang
Dismas Mbaka
Fidel Okoth (Nairobi City Thunder)
John Wiljass
Eugene Adera (KPA)
Brians Nzioka
Elisha Odhiambo (Ulinzi Warriors)
Denis Koja (Strathmore University)
Jeff Onyango (Moischers)
David Gichuhi (Unattached)
Coaches
Grant Wallace
Cliff Owuor
Ancette Wafula
Harrison Kaudia
