BY YUSUF KABENGE
Following the release of the Silverbacks squad for the Afrobasket 2025 qualifiers by FUBA, Ugandan fans were excited to see Ishmail Wainright included, as he had not been part of the team for quite a while. However, the excitement has short-lived as it has been confirmed that Wainright, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, will not be joining the team due to personal reasons.
Silverbacks manager Albert Ahabwe, speaking to NBS Sport after the team’s first training session, confirmed the news, stating, “Ishmail Wainright unfortunately will not be able to join us. He has some engagements that he failed to get rid of on the NBA side, and he’s also coming back from a knee injury which he could not shake off.”
Uganda’s spot for the naturalized player will be taken up by Brandon Ssebirumbi, whose parents are both Ugandans. However, he is not considered a Ugandan per NBA rules.
The Silverbacks held their first training session in Tunisia on Monday evening, after arriving the previous evening. Seven players left Uganda and were joined by two players in Tunisia, making the number nine, with three players left to join the team. Mandy Juruni was not able to join the team for the Monday training session, which was conducted by Andrew Tendo, his assistant.
Uganda’s fixtures:
• Feb 23 – Cape Verde
• Feb 24 – Nigeria
• Feb 25 – Morocco/Libya
