FUBA has sent out invitations to nine foreign based players who will join the Gazelles for the 2023 Women’s Afrobasket.
The competition will be held on July 28 to August 6 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Among the foreign-based players include Claire Lamunu, Jane Asinde and Jamilah Nansikombi who proved their worth in the NBL before moving to the States.
Abby Priscilla, Melissa Akullu, Victoria Mukisa and Lydia Babirye are also part of the foreign-based contingent.
Maria Najjuma and naturalised Janon Otto who were part of the Gazelles squad at Zone V Afrobasket Qualifiers in February have also been summoned.
The Gazelles will face off with African powerhouses Senegal and Mali in their group.
Quality Across Board
A lot has been said about Asinde who recently joined University of Texas at El Paso for the NCAA season this year.
Asinde had a successful spell at Wichita State with the Shockers, highlighted by a game high 20-point performance against South Florida in AACC Quarterfinals.
Melissa Akullu, who joined Vanguard after leaving the country during Pandemic is a Junior communication major.
Her success stories include winning GSAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Lumunu, formerly at KCCA Leopards, brings experience and left impressive stats everywhere he played at including in the States, Finland and Portugal, and she was also the MVP back in 2021 as KPA won Zone V Championship.
American Jannon Otto who features for Musel Pikes in Luxembourg, showed a glimpse of her ability at the Zone V where she averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Lydia Babirye is already in the Country, and is a guard at North Carolina.
Mukisa Victoria formerly with the Simpson University’s Red Hawks, former UCU’S Abby Priscilar who is now at Grayson, will be a joy to watch as well.
Jamillah Nansikombi, referred to many as Zama, currently plays for Troy Trojans.
She joined the Trojans from Morberly College where she averaged 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
She is shooting better from three, and she has taken her moves and speed a notch higher.
Maria Najjuma is a young and promising prospect, but notably a rebounding machine. She averaged 8 points and 11 rebounds at Afrobasket Qualifiers. She is a diamond that needs little polishing.
What about the local-based players?
While appearing on NBS Sport, FUBA President Nasser Sserunjogi said that 11 local based players will be summoned.
Joining the nine from abroad, this will total 20 players who will be fighting for the available 12 slots on final squad.
It’s work cut out for the head coaches Albert Atuna and Nicholas Natuhereza.
But this promises to be a competitive team ever assembled.
This website has gathered that the training will start on June 26.
Guard Flavia ‘Flirsh’ Oketcho, the team captain, is expected to make the captain.
Her teammates Brenda Ekone, Hope Akello and Rita Imanishimwe will have a say.
Sarah Ageno has been the been the best player in the first round of the league.
Her JT Lady Jaguars teammate Zainah Lokwameri is averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. She is thirsty to get going again after shockingly missing the final squad for Zone V.
KIU Rangers duo of Sharon Kirabo and Rose Amaniyo, Angellah Namirimu at KCCA, Kur Ajah (Magic Stormers), UCU Lady Canons trio of Bridget Aber, Aziidah Nabayunga and Tracy Namugosa have been outstanding in NBL and it will not be a surprise if they are summoned.
