Basketball in Africa

By Elvis Senono
Kampala — Basketball superstar Luol Deng will be the guest of honour as Mashariki Pelicans and KISU Bucks clash in the final of the Junior NBA Fuba League due Saturday at Lugogo.
"We received confirmation this week and are expecting him to arrive today," Grace Kwizera, the Junior National Basketball League project head, said yesterday.
Deng, who operates mainly as a small forward, fled his native Sudan with his family as a child. He moved to Egypt and later the United Kingdom. He acquired British citizenship in 2006.
The two-time All-Star started his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls in 2004 and played for them until 2013. He joined Miami Heat in July 2014 after spending half a season at Cleveland Cavaliers.
Deng will grace the final of the competition, which is played by boys aged between 12-15.
KISU Bucks and the Entebbe-based Mashariki Pelicans emerged champions from their respective conferences last Sunday.
The Pelicans can count themselves lucky as they were only reinstated for the Western Conference final after their 82-66 loss to Kisubi High Thunder was overturned because the latter fielded unregistered players. The game though was lit up by a fine individual display from Pelicans' Fayed Baale, who converted 58% of his shots for 47 points. The point guard then returned with a game high 25 points as the Pelicans edged the Crane High Trail Blazers 56-55 in a nail-biting game for a place in the final.
There was no such drama in the East as the KISU Bucks beat Ndejje SS Wizards 82-75 in the semifinal before defeating Hilton High Nets 79-68 in the final with William Deheer finishing with a combined 47 points from the two games.
KISU Bucks beat Ndejje SS Wizards 82-75 in the semifinal before defeating Hilton High Nets 79-68 in the final with William Deheer finishing with a combined 47 points from the two games.
NBA JUNIOR LEAGUE FINALS
TODAY AT LUGOGO
Kisu Bucks vs. Mashariki Pelicans
Today at YMCA
Airtel National Basketball League
Women: Gladiators vs. UCU Lady Canons, 6:30pm
Men: Sharing Youth vs. Ndejje Univ. Angels, 8:30pm