Crane High wins second Junior NBA title

Nov 22, 2017

The program was started to create a platform for youngsters to learn to play the game

Junior NBA Finals

Girls: St. Noah 46 Buddo SS 39

Boys: Crane High 67 Bethel 59

NBA Africa Technical Director Franc Traore believes Uganda has the potential to become a regional power house in basketball after watching the finals of the Junior NBA games at Cambridge International School on Saturday.

"I was blown away by the level of play by the teams; it was so exciting even at that level the action was eye-catching and the matches were very competitive. I'm very proud of the teams, FUBA, the coaches and the referees that made this possible," Traore said.

"You can see that now FUBA is on cruise control since the first edition where we had to train them then, but now you can see that they have gained knowledge and experience,"

rane igh celebrates with their trophy after they beat ethel igh in the finals hoto by ichael subuga

Crane High celebrates with their trophy after they beat Bethel High in the finals. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

He said the Junior NBA program was started to create a platform for youngsters to learn to play the game the right way and use basketball as a tool to learn life skills and values.

"Ugandans love the game and they are key in this program and can use this to elevate the game, and we shall continue pushing and bring in resources to grow the game here," Traore stated.

He advised the youngsters to maintain their focus and keep working hard in order to realize their potential.

The director Junior NBA Uganda Grace Kwizera said the third edition was more exciting as now teams have grown and there is progress in the level of games.

ction between rane igh and ethel during the finals hoto by ichael subuga

Action between Crane High and Bethel during the finals. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"We have identified players who we shall be sending to the NBA academy and hopefully we can reach a level where we can send up to ten players," Kwizera noted.

On court in the Conference Finals Bethel Nets beat Seeta Bulls while Crane High beat Buddo SS in the boys and girls categories respectively to be crowned conference champions.

In the National Championship Final, Crane High beats Bethel to retain the trophy for the second year in a row.