Baale's breakout display offers Silverbacks a glimmer of hope
Baale went 6/9 from the field, including 5/8 from three-point range after coming off the bench en route to playing 25 minutes.
Fayed Baale. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga
FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers
Angola 95 Uganda 62
Today
Uganda v Mali
Tomorrow
Uganda v Egypt
Fayed Baale’s performance against Angola two days ago was the brightest spot as the Uganda Silverbacks fell 95-62 in Group D of the ongoing FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers.
The guard finished with 17 points, tied with Leonard Musiime for the most of any Silverback, for easily his best performance in a Ugandan jersey. Baale went 6/9 from the field, including 5/8 from three-point range after coming off the bench en route to playing 25 minutes.
Baale’s display is the sort of small positive that the Silverbacks were always going to settle for in the second leg of a campaign that holds little if anything to look forward to.
Baale has previously struggled on the international scene, raising questions about the adequacy or lack thereof on the international stage. The guard’s display is proof that it is possible for the current generation of players in the National Basketball League (NBL) to make an impact at the high level.
Obviously, the display had little influence on the outcome of the game, and Mandy Juruni’s side are certainly not expected to win a game in World Cup qualification. Yet if the opportunities given to NBL players in the lineup are grabbed with both hands, as Baale did against Angola, there will be something to write home about.