The Kenya Basketball Association has unveiled an exciting 30-man provisional squad, blending both local talents and overseas-based players, in preparation for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers scheduled for next month at the Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi.
The Morans, Kenya’s national basketball team, have intensified their training regimen following the squad announcement, which prominently features players from the local powerhouse, Nairobi City Thunder.
The Thunder contributes eight players to the squad, while Kenya Ports Authority and Equity Damas add two players each. Ulinzi Warriors and Strathmore each boast one representative in this formidable national lineup.
Australian coach Wallace Grant assumes the leadership role, succeeding compatriot Liz Mills, who steered the team to its latest edition after a 28-year hiatus. The Morans secured a commendable 9th place in the competition comprising 16 teams, held in Kigali.
Assisting Wallace in his mission for glory are Rwanda-based Cliff Owuor, Ulinzi Warriors’ Ancet Wafula, and All One Basketball’s Harrison Kaudia. Wallace’s extensive experience, including managerial roles for various basketball teams, positions him as a strategic guide for the Morans.
He brings valuable expertise from managing Melton Thoroughbred VBL men’s basketball team, the Under 18 men’s Victorian Metropolitan state basketball team, ITC under 18 boys, and Geelong Supercats NBLI men, where he was the runner-up for the Australian Sports Commission – national junior coach of the year.
Kenya finds itself placed in Group E alongside Tunisia, Angola, and Guinea, setting the stage for thrilling basketball action.
The diverse 30-man squad includes talents such as Victor Bosire (Equity Damas), Desmond Owili (Australia), Joel Awich (France), Griffin Ligare, Ariel Ortega, Ariel Okal, Faheem Juma, Kennedy Wachira, Fidel Okoth, Olang Derrick, Dismas Mbaks, all from Nairobi City Thunder.
The squad also boasts internationally based players like Tylor Ongwae (Germany), Ronald Gombe, Evans Ojwang, Valentine Nyakinda, Albert Odero, and Ambaka Le Gregam (USA). With a mix of domestic and international expertise, this Morans squad aspires to make a mark in the upcoming tournament.
Other players in the squad hail from different corners of the globe, bringing a wealth of experience and skill to the court. The combination of seasoned coaching and a dynamic squad sets the stage for Kenya’s Morans to make a significant impact in the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers.
