Basketball in Africa

By Charles Mutebi

FUBA Classic League
Men division 1:
Falcons 98 Riders 38
Women
A1 125 Cubs 25
KIU 85 Sparks 56

A new player waltzed into the MTN-FUBA League on Saturday night.History will show that the Mountain Dew Falcons defeated the Knight Riders by 60 points with 98-38 but this day belonged to one individual.

And if this chap is as good as his debut suggested, then Ugandan basketball has a new star. The Falcons have a new star.

His name is Mike Bazangu, a 6’3” former APR guard of Congloese origin. He’s got strength, speed, supreme skill and he is even showy -- all ingredients needed to make him an overnight favourite.

His first victims were the Riders, whom he pounded for 21 points – 10 of which came a hair-raising breakaway dunks that sent the YMCA into a frenzy.

Bazangu, would have finished with more points had he converted half of his multiple free-throws.

The guard’s display eclipsed those of two other Falcons debutantes, point guard Sudi Ulangu, who gunned an impressive 13, and big man Biennenue Ngandu, who picked eight.

But more importantly, it served to strengthen Falcons case as genuine title contenders. The record men’s champions were written off following the departure of Steven Omony and the Malinga brothers at the start of the season. But Falcons’ passionate owner John Simbwa has put together a side that looks solid, just two games into the season.

It also has Richard Osano, the 2009 Zone V MVP, who bagged 16 against Riders, for whom Moses Ebwonyu gunned 15 points.