BAL: Ibs tips Thunder basketball to prevail in Kigali

Head coach Bradley Ibs is chasing more history with Kenya's first team to reach Basketball Africa League (BAL), Nairobi City Thunder. 

The team, making their debut in the premier African club competition, open their campaign with a clash against hosts Armee Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) at the BK Arena in Kigali. 

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"We've been steadily preparing for over a month with all our players. It has been a day-by-day process continuing to clarify and enhance our team identity and strengths both offensively and defensively. It was also a time to gel together and build trust," IBS told Mozzart Sport. 

In their first attempt, Thunder achieved what Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Ulinzi Warriors had been unable to do for years: reach the BAL.

In the Road to BAL Group Phase, the Nairobi-based side finished second behind Burundi's Urunani and won the Elite 16 East Division held in Nairobi to become Kenya's first team at BAL. 

During the 2025 Road to BAL qualifiers, Thunder won seven of their eight games, only losing a close game (89–88) against Urunani in the first round in Tanzania.

In Kigali, Ibs' charges are looking to go one better and reach the BAL playoffs set for June in South Africa.

"It's going to be Thunder basketball which everyone has come to know as a team-oriented brand of basketball. We have players that can stay connected defensively, communicate and an offensive crew that can make shot, create and are willing to share and have their teammates have their moments," he continued. 

Thunder ready for historic BAL debut

The side is facing stiff competition in their opening clash as they face home side APR, one of six teams that automatically qualified by winning their domestic league in 2024. In their BAL debut last season, APR finished in last place in the Sahara Conference, with a record of 2–4.

Next up for Thunder, on Sunday 18 May, will be fellow debutants Al Ahli Tripoli, winners of three of the last four domestic league titles, who closed their Road to BAL qualifying campaign undefeated in seven games.

Their journey to the BAL began on home soil, where they beat Stade Malien and Kriol Star. In the Elite 16 round in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the Libyan champions dominated even more, beating Mighty Barrolle (Liberia) 99–75, Spintex Knights (Ghana) 101–69, KSA (Cameroon) 96–91, ABC Fighters (Côte d'Ivoire) 80–76, and Stade Malien (Mali) 71–68.

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Thunder's final opponent under former NBA champion Sam Vincent, MBB of South Africa received a wild card to play in the current BAL season after finishing 1-2 in the Elite 16 East Division. They are MBB the second South African team since the Cape Town Tigers to participate in the BAL.

"We are happy overall, and are peaking at the right time. But as a coach there's always something one wants to improve. All in all, I am proud of the team and the work we have all put in. We are ready to compete in Kigali," Ibs concluded.