2024 APR BBC season

{{Infobox basketball club season|champions2_league=RBL|club=APR|season=2024|chairman=Richard Murefu|coach=Maz Trakh (2nd season)|league=BAL|league result=4th in Sahara Conference|league2=RBL|league2 result=Champions|cup1=Rwandan Cup|cup1 result=Champions|prevseason=2023|updated=|nextseason=2025|largest win=APR 141–47 Inspired Generation
(7 June 2024)}}

In the 2024 season for APR played internationally in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and domestically in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). The team played in the BAL following their championship in the 2023 season, that ended a 14-year title drought for APR. It was the second season under coach Maz Trakh.

In national competition, APR won the double by winning both the RBL and the inaugural Rwandan Cup. In the BAL, they were eliminated in the conference phase, becoming the first Rwandan team to not qualify for the playoffs.

Overview

APR began their training in December 2023, when they ended a residential camp.{{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2023-12-07 |title=APR enter residential camp ahead of BAL 2024 |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/12911/sports/basketball/apr-enter-residential-camp-ahead-of-bal-2024 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The New Times |language=en}} In February, APR will have a 10-day a training camp in Qatar, where they will face the Qatar national team, among others.{{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2024-01-21 |title=Hoops: APR takes BAL 2024 training camp to Qatar |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13942/sports/basketball/hoops-apr-takes-bal-2024-training-camp-to-qatar |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The New Times |language=en}} Maz Trakh continued as head coach, and was joined by former NBA assistant coach Bill Bayno.{{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2024-01-01 |title=Former NBA coach joins Trakh at APR |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13472/sports/basketball/former-nba-coach-joins-trakh-at-apr |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The New Times |language=en}}

In May 2024, APR played the Sahara Conference. After a 2–1 start, APR lost all of its three games in the third round. Ahead of the final game day star players Obadiah Noel (hamstring) and Adonis Filer (achilles tendon) were unable to play due to injuries.{{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2024-05-12 |title=Adonis Filer faces 8 months out through Achilles tendon injury |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/16704/sports/basketball/adonis-filer-faces-8-months-out-through-achilles-tendon-injury |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=The New Times |language=en}} A win in the final game against AS Douanes would have given the Rwandans a playoff spot, however, Douanes defeated APR 79–54.{{Cite web |title=AS Douanes punch last playoffs ticket in front of a rowdy home crowd |url=https://bal.nba.com/news/as-douanes-punch-last-playoffs-ticket-in-front-of-a-rowdy-home-crowd |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=The BAL |language=en}} It was the first time in league history that there was no Rwandan team in the playoffs.{{Cite web |title=Highlights from the 2024 Sahara Conference |url=https://bal.nba.com/news/highlights-from-the-2024-sahara-conference |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=The BAL |language=en}}

Transactions

= In =

{{bs in2 player|bg=|n=00|pos=PG|nat=RWA|p=Adonis Filer|age={{age|1993|7|19|2024|1|1}}|fc=REG|fcc=RWA|contract=Undisclosed |type=Free agent|date=October 2023 |ref={{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2023-10-12 |title=Basketball: APR beef up roster with Filer, Gray moves |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/11469/sports/basketball/basketball-apr-beef-up-roster-with-filer-gray-moves |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=The New Times |language=en}}}}

{{bs in2 player|bg=y|n=2|pos=PG|nat=USA|p=Michael Dixon|age={{age|1990|12|1|2024|1|1}}|fc=Kolossos Rodou|fcc=GRE|contract=Undisclosed |type=Free agent|date=December 2023 |ref={{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2023-12-07 |title=APR enter residential camp ahead of BAL 2024 |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/12911/sports/basketball/apr-enter-residential-camp-ahead-of-bal-2024 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=The New Times |language=en}}}}

{{bs in2 player|bg=|n=–|pos=PG|nat=USA|p=Zion Styles|age={{age|2000|1|29|2024|1|1}}|fc=Maryland Eastern Shore|fcc=USA|contract= 2024 |type=Free agent|date={{Dts|2023-12-06}} |ref= {{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2023-12-06 |title=American guard Zion Styles joins APR ahead of BAL 2024 |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/12901/sports/basketball/american-guard-zion-styles-joins-apr-ahead-of-bal-2024 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The New Times |language=en}}}}

{{bs in2 player|bg=y|n=4|pos=F|nat=USA|p=Dario Hunt|age={{age|1989|5|2|2024|1|1}}|fc=Cantù|fcc=ITA|contract=Undisclosed |type=Free agent|date={{Dts|2024-01-09}} |ref={{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2024-01-04 |title=APR sign American center Dario Hunt ahead of BAL |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13535/sports/basketball/apr-sign-american-center-dario-hunt-ahead-of-bal |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The New Times |language=en}}}}

{{bs in2 player|bg= |n=31|pos=C|nat=MLI|p=Aliou Diarra|age={{age|2001|12|21|2024|1|1}}|fc=FUS Rabat|fcc=MAR|contract=2025 |type=Free agent|date={{Dts|2024-07-17}} |ref={{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2024-07-17 |title=Basketball: APR sign Malian center Aliou Diarra |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/18533/sports/basketball/basketball-apr-sign-malian-center-aliou-diarra |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=The New Times |language=en}}}}

Players

= BAL roster =

{{Basketball roster header

| team = APR | wt = n

| color1 = | bg1 = | color2 = | bg2 =

}}

{{Player3 | num = 00 | nat = RWA | first = Adonis | last = Filer | pos = G | m = 1.83 | kgs = | year = 1993 | month = 07 | date = 11 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 2 | nat = USA | first = Noel | last = Obadiah | pos = PG | m = 1.82 | kgs = | year = 1999 | month = 06 | date = 28 | note = I }}

{{Player3 | num = 4 | nat = RWA | first = Dario | last = Hunt | pos = C/F | m = 2.06 | kgs = | year = 1989 | month = 05 | date = 02 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 5 | nat = RWA | first = Christopher | last = Ruta | pos = F | m = 2.08 | kgs = | year = 2000 | month = 11 | date = 09 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 6 | nat = RWA | first = William | last = Robeyns | pos = SG | m = 1.91 | kgs = | year = 1996 | month = 02 | date = 23 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 7 | nat = RWA | first = Axel | last = Mpoyo | pos = F | m = 2.01 | kgs = | year = 1997 | month = 01 | date = 05 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 11 | nat = RWA | first = Jean Jacques | last = Nshobozwabyosenumukiza | pos = G | m = 1.83 | kgs = | year = 1998 | month = 06 | date = 26 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 14 | nat = KEN | first = Tom | last = Wamukota | pos = PF | m = 2.13 | kgs = | year = 1993 | month = 09 | date = 28 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 15 | nat = RWA | first = Ntore | last = Habimana | pos = PG | m = 1.96 | kgs = | year = 1997 | month = 08 | date = 15 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 23 | nat = RWA | first = Dan | last = Kimasa | pos = SF | m = 1.98 | kgs = | year = 1995 | month = 01 | date = 01 | note = }}

{{Player3 | num = 28 | nat = SEN | first = Mohamed | last = Camara | dab = basketball | pos = F/G | m = 2.03 | kgs = | year = 2005 | month = 04 | date = 01 | note =E }}

{{Player3 | num = 34 | nat = EGY | first = Mohamed | last = Abdullah | dab = basketball | pos = C/F | m = 2.06 | kgs = | year = 2003 | month = 11 | date = 03 | note = I }}

{{Player3 | num = 45 | nat = RWA | first = Niyibizi | last = Larson | pos = PG | m = 1.83 | kgs = | year = 2006 | month = 10 | date = 14 | note = }}

{{Basketball roster footer

| head_coach = * {{flagicon|USA}} Maz Trakh

| asst_coach = * {{flagicon|USA}} Bill Bayno

{{flagicon|RWA}} Daniel Zigirinshuti

| roster_url = https://bal.nba.com/teams/apr?view=roster

| legend1= (E): BAL Elevate player

| I = yes

| accessdate = May 4, 2024

}}

Competitions

= Friendly games =

{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Al-Wakrah {{flagicon|QAT}}|teamB={{flagicon|RWA}} APR|result=W|date=22 February 2024|place=Doha, Qatar|report=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/14768/sports/basketball/basketball-apr-beat-qatars-al-wakrah-in-warm-up-match|scoreA=80|scoreB=108|arena=Al Rayyan Arena}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR {{flagicon|RWA}}|teamB={{flagicon|QAT}} Al Rayyan|result=W|date=24 February 2024|place=Doha, Qatar|report=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/14807/sports/basketball/apr-beat-al-rayyan-in-second-friendly-game|scoreA=84|scoreB=77|arena=Al Rayyan Indoor Arena|points1=Nshobozwa 19|points2=White, Faye 14|Q1=22–23|Q2=23–13|Q3=23–21|Q4=18–18}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR {{flagicon|RWA}}|teamB={{flagicon|QAT}} Al-Wakrah|result=W|date=26 February 2024|place=Doha, Qatar|report=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/14768/sports/basketball/basketball-apr-beat-qatars-al-wakrah-in-warm-up-match|scoreA=110|scoreB=77|arena=Al Wakrah Indoor Arena|points1=Styles 30|points2=Murry 17|Q1=26–13|Q2=27–18|Q3=27–21|Q4=30–25}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR {{flagicon|RWA}}|teamB={{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ittihad Alexandria|result=W|date=23 March 2024|place=Kigali, Rwanda|report=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/15474/sports/basketball/basketball-apr-edge-al-ittihad-in-warm-up-match|scoreA=77|scoreB=76|arena=STECOL Basketball Court|points1=|points2=|Q1=|Q2=|Q3=|Q4=}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR {{flagicon|RWA}}|teamB={{flagicon|EGY}} Al Ittihad Alexandria|result=L|date=26 March 2024|place=Kigali, Rwanda|report=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/15546/sports/basketball/trakh-brands-al-ittihad-friendlies-valuable-for-apr|scoreA=72|scoreB=77|arena=STECOL Basketball Court|points1=|points2=|Q1=|Q2=|Q3=|Q4=}}

= Rwanda Basketball League =

The official schedule was announced on 17 December 2023.{{Cite web |last=Sikubwabo |first=Damas |date=2023-12-17 |title=2024 basketball league set for February 9 |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13143/sports/basketball/2024-basketball-league-set-for-february-9 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The New Times |language=en}}

== Regular season ==

{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Kepler|date={{Dts|2024-02-09}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=98|scoreB=67}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Inspired Generation|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-02-17}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=52|scoreB=93}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=UGB|date={{Dts|2024-03-06}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=84|scoreB=62}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Orion BBC|date={{Dts|2024-03-08}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=105|scoreB=67}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Tigers BBC|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-03-13}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=70|scoreB=105}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Kigali Titans|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-03-15}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=71|scoreB=92}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Patriots BBC|date={{Dts|2024-3-20}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=L|scoreA=59|scoreB=73}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Espoir|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-03-27}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=88|scoreB=113}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=REG|date={{Dts|2024-03-29}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=78|scoreB=75}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Kepler|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-06-05}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=73|scoreB=89}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Inspired Generation|date={{Dts|2024-06-07}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=141|scoreB=47}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Kigali Titans|date={{Dts|2024-06-21}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=101|scoreB=69}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=UGB|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-06-26}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=76|scoreB=85}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Orion|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-06-29}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=65|scoreB=124}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Espoir|date={{Dts|2024-07-21}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=94|scoreB=76}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=REG|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-07-31}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=W|scoreA=75|scoreB=77}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=Tigers|teamB=APR|date={{Dts|2024-08-04}}|place=Lycée de Kigali|result=|scoreA=|scoreB=}}

= Rwanda Cup =

== Quarterfinals ==

{{Basketballbox collapsible|teamA=APR|teamB=Azomco|date={{dts|2024-07-09|df=yes}}|place=Kigali|result=W|scoreA=111|scoreB=64|arena=Lycée de Kigali}}

= Basketball Africa League =

== Sahara Conference ==

{{2024 BAL tables|Sahara Conference|showteam=APR|show_matches=no}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee|date=May 4, 2024|time=2:30 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=US Monastir {{bkaicon|TUN}}|teamB={{bkaicon|RWA}} APR|scoreA=84|scoreB=89|Q1=20–20|Q2=20–19|Q3=15–13|Q4=23–26|OT=6–11|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410696/bs.html Livestats]|points1=Crawford 21|points2=Filer, Noel 24|rebounds1=Lahyani, Majok 9|assist1=Crawford 7|rebounds2=Abdullah 9|assist2=Filer 4|referee=Kenny Jones, Yann Vezo Davidson, Kingsley Ojeaburu|attendance=850|result=W|round=1}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee|date=May 5, 2024|time=2:30 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=APR {{bkaicon|RWA}}|teamB={{bkaicon|NGR}} Rivers Hoopers|scoreA=82|scoreB=86|Q1=18–19|Q2=22–21|Q3=22–23|Q4=20–23|OT=|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410699/ Livestats]|points1=Noel 32|points2=Perry 31|assist1=Filer, Robeyns 4|rebounds1=Noel 7|rebounds2=Eke, Ike 8|assist2=Amayo 7|attendance=734|referee=Kaitlynn Versoza, Kalume Tonton Banza, Adlen Larouci|round=2|result=L}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=|date=May 7, 2024|time=7:00 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=APR {{bkaicon|RWA}}|teamB={{bkaicon|SEN}} AS Douanes|scoreA=66|scoreB=61|Q1=11–17|Q2=16–9|Q3=19–16|Q4=20–19|OT=|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410706/ Livestats]|points1=Noel 24|points2=Boissy 14|rebounds2=Boissy, Fofana 6|assist2=Boissy 11|assist1=Filer, Robeyns 3|rebounds1=Noel 8|attendance=4,478|referee=Kenny Jones, Aboolo Amr, Adlen Larouci|result=W|round=3}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee|date=May 9, 2024|time=4:00 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=APR {{bkaicon|RWA}}|teamB={{bkaicon|TUN}} US Monastir|scoreA=70|scoreB=83|Q1=22–19|Q2=15–17|Q3=17–14|Q4=16–33|OT=|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410707/bs.html Livestats]|points1=Hunt 17|points2=Crawford 31|rebounds1=Filer 11|assist1=Noel 5|rebounds2=Majok 10|assist2=Crawford 5|referee=Cameron Gelinas, Kingsley Ojeaburu, Kalume Tonton Banza|attendance=2,330|round=4|result=L}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=#eee|date=May 11, 2024|time=2:30 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=Rivers Hoopers {{bkaicon|NGR}}|teamB={{bkaicon|RWA}} APR|scoreA=78|scoreB=71|Q1=16–19|Q2=15–11|Q3=10–20|Q4=17–8|OT=17–8, 20–3|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410710/ Livestats]|points1=Eke 18|points2=Nshobozwabyosenumukiza 16|overtime=(2OT)|rebounds1=Eke 20|assist1=Perry 6|rebounds2=Hunt 14|assist2=Hunt 7|attendance=750|referee=Cameron Gelinas, Aboolo Amr, Kalume Tonton Banza|result=L|round=5}}{{Basketballbox collapsible|bg=|date=May 12, 2024|time=5:30 PM|arena=Dakar Arena|place=Dakar|city=|teamA=AS Douanes {{bkaicon|SEN}}|teamB={{bkaicon|RWA}} APR|scoreA=79|scoreB=54|Q1=23–18|Q2=21–10|Q3=19–18|Q4=16–8|OT=|report=[https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/BAL/2410713/bs.html Livestats]|points1=Fofana 27|points2=Mpoyo 22|rebounds1=Akec 9|assist1=Harouna 8|rebounds2=Mpoyo 7|assist2=Robeyns 4|referee=Kaitlynn Versoza, Yann Vezo Davidson, Hassan Kamate|attendance=8,632|round=6|result=L}}

Player statistics

= BAL =

:After the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=APR Kigali Stats - RealGM |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/138/Basketball-Africa-League/team/622/APR-Kigali/stats/2024/Averages/All/All/player/All/asc/1/Regular_Season |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=basketball.realgm.com}}

| {{Sortname|Mohamed|Camara|dab=basketball}} || 1 || 4.1 || .333 || .000 || – || 2.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.0

| {{Sortname|Adonis|Filer}} || 5 || 31.1 || .294 || .192 || .750 || 6.2 || style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| 3.8 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 10.8

| {{Sortname|Ntore|Habimana}} || 6 || 23.1 || .289 || .067 || .643 || 3.2 || 2.5 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 6.0

| {{Sortname|Dario|Hunt}} || 6 || 28.7 ||style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| .491 || – || .647 || style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| 7.3 || 3.0 || 1.5 || 1.0 || 11.2

| {{Sortname|Dan|Kimasa}} || 2 || 7.7 || .000 || .000 || – || 1.5 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

| {{Sortname|Niyibizi|Larson}} || 1 || 1.0 || .000 || – || – || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

| {{Sortname|Axel|Mpoyo}} || 6 || style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| 36.1 || .403 ||style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| .378 || .667 || 7.2 || 0.5 || 1.7 || 0.3 || 12.2

| {{Sortname|Mohamed|Abdullah|dab=basketball}} || 6 || 16.5 || .389 || .000 || .357 || 5.7 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 1.2 || 3.2

| {{Sortname|Obadiah|Noel}} || 5 || 26.7 || .357 || .241 || .870 || 4.2 || 2.6 || 1.4 || 0.2 ||style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| 19.4

| {{Sortname|Jean Jacques|Nshobozwabyosenumukiza}} || 6 || 19.4 || .229 || .219 ||style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"| 1.000 || 3.2 || 1.3 || style="{{Basketball color cell2|APR}}"|2.2 || 0.0 || 5.2

| {{Sortname|William|Robeyns}} || 6 || 29.1 || .383 || .310 || .667 || 2.5 || 2.8 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 8.2

| {{Sortname|Chris|Ruta}} || 1 || 5.6 || .000 || .000 || – || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

| {{Sortname|Bush|Wamukota}} || 5 || 8.4 || .125 || .000 || .500 || 2.6 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.8

References

Category:Basketball in Rwanda

APR BBC