Earlier in March this year, Uganda National Basketball Team, the Silverbacks finished as Runners-up in the Zone 5 qualifiers behind Egypt, hence earning a place in the Upcoming 2017 FIBA Afro-basketball Tournament.
This will be the second time of trying for the Pearl of African team after making their debut in the 2015 tournament, finishing 15th with just a win from the 5 games played.
This Year’s tournament is to take place from September 8-16, jointly hosted by Tunisia (Tunis) and Senegal (Dakar).
The National team Coach, Mandy Juruni who happens to be the coach of a 4 time National Basketball League team, The City Oilers, named his 13-man team to go on a ‘Mission Impossible’.
The team is a blend of local and International players, with 9 homebased and 4 from abroad led by Oilers’ Stephen Omony; with James Okello (City Oilers) and Stanley Mugerwa (Warriors) receiving surprising call-ups.
Defending Champions, City Oilers lead the way with 5 players on the roster.
Silverbucks were drawn in a tricky Group B along with top favourites, Angola who have won this Championship on a record 11 times.
Morocco and the Central African Republic (CAF) are the other teams in the pool.
2017 AfroBasket will be the 29th edition of the men’s basketball Africa continental championship and this is the first time that the 16-team competition will be held in two countries since inception in 1962.
The same participating teams will also compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers.
The 13-Man Squad
Home based
Stephen Omony (City Oilers), Ben Komakech (City Oilers), Joseph Ikong (Betway Power), Syrus Kiviiri (Pemba Warriors), Otim Jonah (City Oilers), Stanley Mugerwa (Pemba Warriors), Jonathan Egau (UCU Canons), Jimmy Enabu (City Oilers), James Okello (City Oilers).
Internationals
Robinson Odoch Opong, Samuel Kalwanyi (Wayland Baptist) and Stanley Ocitti Ochaya, A’darius Pegues