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Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has unveiled a formidable 46-player provisional squad for the 2025 Afrobasket qualifiers, featuring a star-studded lineup of men and women ready to battle it out in Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire starting February 20.

With Nairobi City Thunder leading the charge, a powerful mix of domestic and international talents has been assembled, including standout players from the Thunder’s historic BAL campaign.

The Kenya Morans’ 23-man squad will be coached by veteran Cliff Owuor, assisted by Robert Mugabe and Ancet Wafula.

The Thunder contingent includes Captain Tyler Ongwae (small guard), Griffin Ligare (point guard), Kennedy Wachira (shooting guard), Eugene Adera (forward), Derrick Ogechi (guard), Ariel Okall (power forward), and Albert Odero (small forward).

Joining them from the Thunder are Dismas Mbaka (point guard), Ariel Ortega (shooting guard), and Fidel Okoth (power forward).

The 10 players, who had a stellar season—winning their maiden league title and becoming the first-ever Kenyan team to qualify for the BAL—are expected to bring much-needed depth to the squad.

Other key players for Coach Owuor include Victor Bosire (Umoja Basketball Club), Lennox Wanje (Kenya Ports Authority), Ian Ochieng’ (based in the USA) and Bush Wamukota (APR Rwanda).

Joel Awich (based in France), Davies Siaji (Equity Dumas), Paul Ekuru (Dynamo Burundi), Brans Nzioka (Ulinzi Warriors), and Peter Sifuna (KPA), alongside Desmond Owili (KPA) and Elisha Odhiambo (Ulinzi Warriors), complete the team, which will train at Nyayo Gymnasium ahead of the qualifiers from February 21-23.

Emmanuel Ochieng’’, former Thunder coach and veteran tactician, praised KBF for selecting the bulk of the national provisional players from Thunder.

“Thunder has made history by qualifying as the country’s representative to the BAL. It is currently the top team in the country. Therefore, KBF’s decision to select most of the country’s provisional players from Thunder is well-founded,” Ochieng’ explained.

Ochieng’ added that it typically takes 28 days for players to acquire new sporting habits and skills, and given the upcoming qualifiers in February, selecting players with existing chemistry makes sense.

“Players from Thunder have recently competed in the BAL group and Elite 16 stage qualifiers in Zanzibar and Kenya, so they already possess strong playing chemistry. It is a smart strategy for KBF to rely on such players for international competitions like the Afrobasket qualifiers,” he emphasised.

On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses will be coached by George Mayienga and Sylvia Kamau. Equity Hawks dominate the squad, with 31-year-old KPA veteran Natalie Akinyi leading the team.

She is joined by towering 6’6” US-based forward Madina Okot (currently at Mississippi State University) and experienced 32-year-old All-Star centre Mercy Wanyama (now playing in Lithuania with BC Krepsino Siauliai).

The roster also features seven stars from the Hawks—Elizabeth Okumu, Jemimah Night, Valary Kemunto, Rachel Akinyi, MaryAnn Nyagaki, Rita Aluoch and Lavin Owiti.

Other notable players include Croatian-based Shirliz Apiyo, Victoria Reynolds from REG Rwanda, and the US quartet of Mary Nyakundi, Felmas Koranga, Grace Mbugua and Ruth Mbugua. Strathmore Swords’ key players, Joy Mupalia and Margaret Nereah, along with USIU Flames duo Marlisa Omondi and Frida Yagomba, are also included in the call-up.