Afidra Finally Wins MVP Award - Feb 2, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
Twelve years after he was first nominated for the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Isaac Afidra finally won the most prestigious award in local basketball.
Afidra beat two-time winner and DMark Power teammate Ben Komakech to the 2011 MTN-Fuba League playoffs MVP diadem during the annual dinner at Imperial Royale Hotel on Saturday night.
"I dedicate this to Tyler," he said. "He has something new to play with [read more]
Twelve years after he was first nominated for the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Isaac Afidra finally won the most prestigious award in local basketball.
Afidra beat two-time winner and DMark Power teammate Ben Komakech to the 2011 MTN-Fuba League playoffs MVP diadem during the annual dinner at Imperial Royale Hotel on Saturday night.
'I dedicate this to Tyler,' he said. 'He has something new to play with.' Baby Tyler was born last month, just 48 hours after Afidra led Power to a first successful defence of the national title and fifth in total.
The two nominees walked together to pick the award. Afidra first joined Power in December 1999 and was first nominated for MVP in 2000 losing out to Wilbrod Oketcho (RIP).
Four years ago, he again lost out to Komakech and the same happened last year. The go-ahead three-pointer to give Power a 97-96 lead in the decisive Game Seven must have helped to tilt the balance in his favour. It was from that moment that Warriors crumbled and Power gained the impetus to claim one of the most thrilling finals in the history of Ugandan basketball.
Double-doubles
The former KIU Titan star scored 29 points and 15 rebounds with Komakech putting the finishing touch to the 99-97 victory over Warriors for a series 4-3 win.
Through the series, the forward scored 66 points and 76 rebounds including four double-doubles in the final four games of the thrilling series. Komakech, a guard, had 121 points and 32 assists.
Despite previously not awarding foreigners with individual accolades, UCU Lady Canons' Kenyan centre Purity Adhiambo took the women's gong. She helped her side sweep KCC Leopards 4-0.
Warrior's Eric Malinga was named regular season MVP ahead of Stephen Omony (Miracle Eagles) but Ivan Enabu, also a Warrior, was controversially not nominated at all.
KCC's Martha Soigi took the women's equivalent. Malinga and Soigi also clinched the respective top scorers' awards. The emcee Carol Mugasha didn't nail this as the announcement of Afidra before the other 31 honours killed the mood entirely. The entertainment hardly left any smiles. Courtesy of: The Monitor
Basketball Review - Unpredictable Season Beckons - Jan 12, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
The start of this year's basketball season might be three months away but before the drama unfolds, Felix Eupal previews the major talking points.
The Lugogo question
Due to a poor surface, the newly refurbished Lugogo indoor stadium was closed down three weeks after it was opened in October 2010. The delicate rubber floor developed bumps that couldn't allow free-flowing play [read more]
The start of this year's basketball season might be three months away but before the drama unfolds, Felix Eupal previews the major talking points.
The Lugogo question
Due to a poor surface, the newly refurbished Lugogo indoor stadium was closed down three weeks after it was opened in October 2010. The delicate rubber floor developed bumps that couldn't allow free-flowing play.
Since then, local basketball governing body Fuba has always maintained that it will be ready soon but 13 months down the road, the situation isn't any better.
Ambrose Tashobya, the Fuba president, says the only thing left is to fit a new synthetic rubber floor. Unfortunately, they are running out of time after the management of YMCA, which hosted all matches last season, gave notice to take up the court to enlarge their premises.
Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Fuba and sponsors MTN will live up to their talk given that Uganda is due to host the Zone V Club Championship this year.
Who will earn Jeff Omondi services?
When UCU Canons fell to Warriors in the playoff semis, Jeff Omondi, the Canons skipper, made it clear that he would jump ship when his contract expires.
Everyone knows the damage the shooting guard can cause offensively and defensively and as expected, Warriors straightaway courted him.
They are not the only ones, however, as 7Up Falcons are also vying for his signature. Meanwhile, the Canons will do everything to hold onto one of their best players but whoever wins the battle, expect a staggering contract.
We are going to witness the best run-up to the playoffs
In recent seasons, the drama for the playoff slots has been limited for the fourth place with the first three places always decided long before the final round.
However, things are set to change this time round with Falcons, who missed out on the playoffs for the first time last season, tying up the loose ends to ensure it doesnit happen again.
Similarly, add Ndejje Angels, who are set to make big recruitments ahead of the season and you have six evenly-matched title contenders for four playoff slots. In a nutshell, basketball enthusiasts are in for one hell of a thriller.
Will Ivan Enabu finally get a FUBA title?
He went down on his knees, held his head in his hands and finally when he couldn't take it anymore, he broke down.
That's how Ivan Enabu, the Kyambogo Warriors star widely regarded as the best in the country, reacted when his team lost the playoff finals 3-4 to Power.
Meanwhile, his younger brothers Jimmy and Emmanuel had just landed the title in just a few attempts.
Having missed out on the championship in similar fashion while at UCU, the question is whether he will get the monkey off his back and win his first title. Courtesy of: The Observer (Kampala)
Falcons bring Donald and Norman Blick - Jan 12, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
Falcons bring Donald and Norman Blick (201-F-83) to the roster. The duo signed two-year contracts with Falcons on Tuesday, ending their relationship with Miracle Eagles.
Donald Blick (194-G/F-86) played in 2001-2002 for Sky Jammers and in 2004-2005 moved to Marines Nkumba (MTN League). In 2008-2009 he moved to Southampton Trailblazers (England-EBL3) and the season 2011 started for Dmark Power (MTN D1) [read more]
Falcons bring Donald and Norman Blick (201-F-83) to the roster. The duo signed two-year contracts with Falcons on Tuesday, ending their relationship with Miracle Eagles. Donald Blick (194-G/F-86) played in 2001-2002 for Sky Jammers and in 2004-2005 moved to Marines Nkumba (MTN League). In 2008-2009 he moved to Southampton Trailblazers (England-EBL3) and the season 2011 started for Dmark Power (MTN D1). Norman Blick also started for Sky Jammers (1T) in 2001 and in 2004-2005 played for Marines Nkumba (MTN League, starting five). In 2005-2006 he moved however to Al Rayyan (Qatar-D1). In 2006 Norman played for Marines Nkumba (MTN League, starting five) and in 2008-2009 played for Southampton Trailblazers (England-EBL3). The season 2009 he played for Sadolin Power (MTN D1, starting five) and in 2011 played for Dmark Power (MTN D1).
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