Bargny Basket Club aiming for Senegal’s big leagues
ENTERING the Bargny Basket Club’s facility in the Bargny Commune, located 50 km outside Dakar, Senegal, you observe girls and boys practising their drills under the supervision of the club’s coaches. Amidst the bouncing of basketballs inside the enclosed centre, this writer noticed a distinct work of art, a mural.
Mali’s building blocks could pay off at World Cup qualifiers
MALI has enjoyed an upward trajectory in international basketball, and one of the programmes contributing to the West African nation’s success is the senior women’s team, which is vying for a spot in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany this year.
Can Senegal emerge from the shadows in Puerto Rico?
SENEGAL Women’s National Basketball Team – commonly known as the Lionesses – have qualified for eight FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tournaments. Ahead of their qualifying campaign in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the question is whether the West African side can secure a ninth appearance at this year’s tournament in Germany.
Can Bright Starlets defy the odds at the World Cup qualifiers?
SOUTH Sudan’s Bright Starlets have been a surprise in African basketball. The East African nation got a wildcard entry to AfroBasket 2025, marking their debut in the women’s continental championship. Defying expectations, the Bright Starlets climbed all the way to the podium.
A look at Group D of the FIBA World Cup Africa Qualifiers
THE FIBA Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers are set resume with Group B action taking place in Cairo, Egypt and the Pharaohs will welcome 2025 AfroBasket champions Angola, AfroBasket finalists Mali, and Uganda, all looking to get a head start in the first round. Ahead of the qualifiers, The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda reviews the Group B teams and what they will bring to court when the qualifiers begin.
A dissection of World Cup African Qualifiers Group B
GROUP B of the Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers will tip off in Dakar, Senegal, with the host nation welcoming Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Madagascar (February 26 – March 1) at the Stade Marius Ndiaye. The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda previews the group and the chances of the competing teams.
Ibs and Thunder look to hit the right notes in KBL and BAL
NAIROBI City Thunder have become domestic titans since the Twende ownership group took over the club. For the last two years, they have dominated the Kenyan basketball scene, and did so in spectacular fashion. One unbeaten season after another is shaping this ball club into a dynasty. The man who has crafted the Thunder’s invincibility on the court is Bradley Ibs.
Out with the old and hopefully, in with the new
THE Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC)’s decision to derecognise the current leadership of Basketball South Africa and effectively place it under administration marks the culmination of nearly 20 years of poor management. Over this period, basketball has been in a steady decline. The sport now suffers from the absence of nationwide high-level competitions, the intermittent participation of junior and senior national teams and clubs in continental tournaments, and the lack of sustainable development programmes.
Ambitious Edi gearing HyperSonics for a championship run
CôTE d’Ivoire legend Guy Landri Edi has taken a new step in his basketball career. He has assumed the reins as general manager of the local team, HyperSonics. This, after having had a productive playing career for the US College Gonzaga Bulldogs, the Elephants (national team) and various clubs abroad. It’s a job he looks forward to and has prepared for, and while he has hit the ground running in his front office role, he made a surprise admission.
