Sixteen teams will tip off their championship journey when the national basketball league playoffs tip off this Friday, August 26, at the Lugogo indoor stadium.
KCCA Leopards who finished fourth on the league table will face Angels basketball club who finished 5th in the women’s division quarter-final opener of the women’s division while KIU Titans face off against Power basketball club in game one
The national basketball league regular season was completed on August 17, with KIU defeating KCCA leopards 68-61 at the Lugogo indoor stadium.
For the first time in two years, the national basketball regular season was played to completion, the last being 2019, with no league action in 2020 while 2021 had teams playing just a few first-round games before the season was called off due to a resurgence of COVID-19.
The 2022 season has been highlighted by several positives, the games being broadcast live on NBS Sport, and continued growth of competition amongst clubs with Namuwongo blazers, UCU Canons and City Oilers taking the top three slots respectively with 43 points.
A couple of players have stood out, with Nam blazers Amisi Saidi averaging 16.0 points, JKL Dolphins, and Mabor Makol 15.8 points.
Power’s basketball club Innocent Ochera emerged top scorer with 356 points among others.
JKL Lady Dolphins Brenda Ekon topped the women scoring chart with 362 points averaging 20.1, Magic Stormers Christine Nakito had the greatest number of rebounds, 239.
With 13 teams involved in the league this season after the Warriors did not register at the start of the campaign, three teams were going down.
The relegation battle was taken to the final day, Tropical Royals joining Falcons and Our Savior in the second division.
In the Women’s division, JKL Dolphins whose first game in the playoffs will be against Nabisunsa continued to dominate, ending the regular season unbeaten.
Nkumba Lady Marines and A1 Challenge were relegated from the women’s division
Going into the playoffs on Friday, there will be so much to play for, especially with the winners, and the runners-up set to be awarded prize money for the first time in history as confirmed by FUBA Vice president Arnold Katabi.
“Clubs should go all out knowing there is so much to play for. The winner, 1st and Second runners up will be awarded prize money.” Katabi confirmed.
The playoffs matchups are in the format 1 Vs 8, 2 Vs 7, 3 Vs 6 and 4 Vs 5, meaning Nam Blazers who top the log will face KCCA Panthers who are 8th.
UCU Canons meet JKL Dolphins, defending champions City Oilers face off with UPDF while KIU Titans and Power is the pick of the quarterfinals.
In the Women’s division KCCA Leopards Vs Angels, JKL Lady Dolphins Vs Nabisunsa Girls, UCU LADY CANONS face MAGIC STORMERS while KIU Rangers Vs Miracle Ravens
City Oilers are the Men defending champions while JKL Lady Dolphins are the women’s division defending champions.
