Your Weekly Dose of FIBA Africa Zone 5 News: APR Basketball Club signs ex-NBA star Jordan McRae and forward Nobel Boungou Colo ahead of BAL’s Nile Conference, as Rwanda, Uganda, and Nairobi City Thunder ramp up roster moves swiftly.
Last Updated on
March 24, 2025
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Preparing to host BAL's Nile Conference set for Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, May 25 at BK Arena in Kigali, APR Basketball Club APR are bolstering their squad. The side has added former NBA player, American shooting guard Jordan McRae and Congolese-French forward Nobel Boungou Colo as reported by New Times.
McRae was selected in the 2014 NBA Draft as the 58th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs, going on to play for the likes of the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards in the NBA along with the Delaware 87ers and the Canton Charge in the G League.
The duo adds to the depth of a squad that has already boAmerican point guard Antino Jackson and Rwandan shooting guard Jean-Victor Mukama who crossed over from domestic rivals Rwanda Energy Group (REG).
BAL-bound APR continued to dominate the the men's Rwanda Basketball League (RBL), getting the second league leg of the regular season underway on Thursday 20 March with a 86-59 show against United Generation Basketball (UGB) to extend their lead in the nine-team competition.
James Maye Jr's charges led the standings with 16 points after the opening round, with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) who concluded the round on Friday 21 March against Patriots, currently second in the standings, on 13 points. The last clash between the two saw APR win 86-61.
The 2025 Uganda National Basketball League (UBL) season tipped off on Friday, 21 March, with two matches scheduled at the Lugogo Indoor Arena. The defending women's champions, JKL Lady Dolphins, opened the season, losing 75-71 to the JT Lady Jaguars, and in the men's league, the City Oilers lost 81-80 to the Nam Blazers.
The league was initially scheduled to start on 14 March. This season, clubs will manage league operations, and a committee has been established to handle game-day activities, including security, gate collections, and payment of match-day officials.
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Nairobi City Thunder have made two additions to their Basketball Africa League-bound squad, as they prepare to make their debut in Africa's premier men's club competition. American William Davies II, who was part of the squad that got the Bradley Ibs-coached side through to the Elite 16 returns.
Also joining the squad is Nana Kwabena Appiah, "a dynamic player whose defensive tenacity, versatility, and leadership will be a key asset as we compete in BAL," Thunder said while making the announcement.
Davies II joined Thunder in the Group Phase of the Road to BAL, hosted in Kibaha, Tanzania, in November 2024 and remains the side’s best player on their journey to the 12-team competition. He averaged 21.5 points in the two matches he played before suffering an injury that sidelined him temporarily while also contributing 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. A third signing, Paul Ereng, is the latest addition to the BAL debutants ahead of action in Rwanda.
The side played against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in an 80-73 show on Friday, continuing their unbeaten run in the national league.
[Photography and Imagery courtesy of FERWABA, Jr NBA Kenya, Nairobi City Thunder, NBL Uganda]
