DYNAMO Basketball Club, or simply Dynamo, are one of the clubs making their debut in Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Big Tip Off previews the team ahead of the BAL.
Team: Dynamo Basketball Club
Country: Burundi
History: The Burundian side has a rich history. Founded in 1968 in Bujumbura, the team participates in the Viva Basketball League and Bujumbura Amateurs Basketball Club Association (ACBAB). Dynamo only won its first Burundian National Championship in 2016. The East African club has won two more national championship titles, four Heroes Cups and three ACBAB titles.
Dynamo has achieved enormous success domestically and has become the first club from Burundi to qualify for the BAL.
Route to BAL: After securing second place in the preliminary phase of the Road To BAL Division East in Tanzania, Dynamo headed to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the final stage. Dynamo signed Guibert Nijimbere, Israel Otobo, Deshaun Morman and Christopher Obekpa. The Burundian club had a slow start to their campaign in Johannesburg but they managed to claw their way back. Dynamo beat COSPN of Madagascar by one point in the third and fourth playoff to secure their spot in the BAL.
Coach: Frenchman Julien Chaignot was recently appointed head coach and will lead the team in their quest to compete for the title this season.
Before joining the Burundi club, Chaignot coached the Malagasy side COSPN. His former team lost to Dynamo in the Road To BAL third and fourth place playoff game, ultimately making way for the Burundian outfit to reach the BAL. Coach Chaignot will lead the Burundi champions to Season 4 of the BAL.
Star player: Israel Otobo is the star player for the Burundian side. The Nigerian forward took the Road To BAL East Division by storm with his performance in Johannesburg, South Africa. Otobo averaged 14 points per game and 13 rebounds per game. He is one of Africa’s most exciting prospects. At 19, he is realising his potential and he will look to dominate for the East African club
