Basketball in Africa

Kampala

Masai Ujiri, the Denver Nuggets general manager, is in Uganda on a scouting mission. Ujiri is the first African-born general manager for a National Basketball Association (NBA) side.

The Nigerian came alongside Glen Anthony Rice, a retired American professional basketball player and John Manyo Plange, the senior NBA Africa director. Another former NBA player Martin McBride is also part of the contingent.

By press time, the group was selecting two outstanding Ugandan youngsters to be taken to South Africa for a training camp. Chosen from over 50 other players, the two youngsters, will join other Africans in Johannesburg for the September 1-4 development camp organised by Basketball Without Boarders (BWB).

Organised and sponsored by Coca-cola under their sprite brand, the selection trials dubbed Sprite Slam finals, were held last evening at YMCA courts.
Sixteen other promising players will be taken to Nairobi for another training opportunity. “We are happy that we have been given two slots for the Johannesburg camp,” said Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) president Ambrose Tashobya. “It is a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills.”

Uganda has in the past benefited from the BWB arrangement with current star league players like Brian Ssentongo and Enabu brothers Emmanuel and Jimmy taking part in the camp