{"id":5064,"date":"2015-08-16T15:12:05","date_gmt":"2015-08-16T19:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kenyapage.net\/commentary\/?p=5064"},"modified":"2015-08-20T22:54:10","modified_gmt":"2015-08-21T02:54:10","slug":"kenya-basketball-could-have-a-dynamic-starting-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kenyapage.net\/commentary\/kenya-sports-commentary\/kenya-basketball-could-have-a-dynamic-starting-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya basketball could have a dynamic starting 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2015 Africa basketball championships kicks off in Tunisia on August 19. Kenya will not be represented having lost out to neighbours Uganda in the qualifiers. In fact Kenya has not been at this tournament since they hosted it in 1993. That is a whopping 22 years.<\/p>\n

This year if the Kenya Basketball Federation had its act together and was able to incorporate foreign based players, Kenya could have fielded a powerful starting five that could have put them in the medal bracket of this tournament.<\/p>\n

Below are some players with Kenyan eligibility who are playing in foreign leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\"\"<\/td>\n\n

Point Guard : Kenneth Otieno<\/h2>\n

Kenneth Otieno is a 6\u20193\u2033 guard who plays for the University of
\nAlberta. He has solid ball handling skills, has quick drives to the
\nbasket, easily creates his own shot and is a superb 3-point shooter when
\ncurling off screens or spotting up behind the arc. He can play either
\npoint guard or shooting guard.<\/p>\n

In the 2015 season, he averaged 14.7 points per\u00a0 game, while
\nshooting a superb 47.9% from the field and 40.7% from behind the 3-point
\nline<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n

Shooting Guard: Tylor Ongwae<\/h2>\n

Ongwae, a 6’7″ guard\/forward, had a stellar 2014-2015 season, no
\ndoubt the best ever by a Kenyan export to the USA collegiate system. He
\nled the University of Louisiana Monroe in scoring with 14.4 points per
\ngame. He was selected to the Sunbelt Conference first team and All
\nLousiana second team.<\/p>\n

Ongwae is quick to the basket, has excellent ball handling skills. He
\nshoots well from the free throw line (83%) and is a string rebounder
\nfrom the guard forward position with 6.6 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n

When the pressure is higher, Ongwae’s performance rises to the
\noccassion. During the post season (CBI playoffs) , he averaged 20.4
\npoints per game.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n

Small Forward : Robert Nyakundi<\/h2>\n

Robert Nyakundi, is a 6’8″\u00a0 combo\u00a0Forward. He played college
\nbasketball at Southern Methodist and averaged 11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg,
\nshooting 43% from 3-point range in his 4-year career there.During his
\nsenior season, he averaged 14.8 points per game and earned a mention
\nfrom sports illustrated because at one point, his 3-point shooting
\naverage was an incredible 46%.<\/p>\n

After his successful college career Nyakundi signed with Romanian
\nteam CSU Asesoft Ploiesti for the 2012-’13 season. With them he competed
\nin the EuroChallenge and averaged 10.8 ppg & 2.7 rpg in 6 games.In
\n201302-14, season Nyakundi remained in Romania and\u00a0signed with Steaua Bucuresti. He finished the season with averages of 14.3 ppg & 5.3 rpg.<\/p>\n

For the 2014-2015, he joined Li\u00e8ge\u00a0 in the Belgian league.<\/p>\n

He has excellent outside shooting from\u00a0the 3 & 4 position. Due to his
\nsize Nyakundi has also played inside on many occasions and has therefore
\ndeveloped a decent post-up game as well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n

Power Forward: Omondi Amoke<\/h2>\n

Omondi Amoke is a powerfully built 6’7″\u00a0 225 lb (100kgs) power
\nforward. Coming out if high school in California, he was one of the most
\nhighly touted high school players in the USA. He played most of his
\ncollege basketball for the University of California Bears before
\nfinishing at Cal Poly.<\/p>\n

What sets him aside is his amazing athleticism. Even with his big
\nframe, he is very agile which enables him to guard both small forwards
\nand power forwards.<\/p>\n

In his senior season at Cal Poly, Amoke averaged 10.8 points per
\ngame. He is a strong and effective rebounder using his agility and
\nstrength . In his senior season he averaged 9.9 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n

Following his college career, Amoke has played in the CBA for the
\nGrand Rapids drive as well as for several teams in Europe. He currently
\nplays for Caborca in the Mexican League.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n

Center: Tom Wamukota<\/h2>\n

Wamukota, a product of Maseno school, a 6’11 center. he has the
\ndistinction of being the only Kenyan to play in the NCAA round of 16 ,
\npopularly known as the sweet 16. Last season he played for Wichita State where he played in 32 matches.<\/p>\n

He is a good defender in the low post and also provides tremendous
\nshot blocking. With his 6’11 winsgpan, he could provide plenty of
\ndefensive solidity which would enable perimeter players to be more
\naggressive on defence.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

The Bench<\/h2>\n

In addition to the aforementioned starting 5, there are other players
\nwith Kenyan eligibility who are playing excellent basketball overseas.<\/p>\n

Joel Awich is a 6’7″ swingman with incredible foot-speed, and
\nincredibility leaping ability. He is a joy to watch in transition
\nbecause he takes off like a jet and finishes with a thunderous dunk. He
\nwould be a useful option coming off the bench because he would be too
\nmuch to handle for tiring defenders. In 2015 he avarged 8.7 points per
\ngame while playing for California Polytechnic Institute (Cal Poly).<\/p>\n

JP Nyadaro is another product of Maseno school. After a succesful
\nstint playing for Trevecca College, Nyadaro joined the professional
\nranks in 2014. He currently plays in the Canadian Basketball Association
\nfor the St John Mill Rats<\/p>\n

Ronald Gombe Gundo a 6’8″ forward who is well known in Kenya
\nbasketball circles was recently signed by Canisius College.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Add this to the top tier players from the Kenyan league and you would have a dynamite team that is capable of making a lot of noise at the Africa basketball championships and at least reaching the semi-finals. It is worth noting that when Kenya lost to Uganda in the Africa qualifiers, it was because the Ugandan Federation had the organizational skills and forethought to bring their foreign players. But their foreign crew would have been no match for this Kenyan foreign crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nBack to Kenya Basketball Page<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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