The Kenyan Capital once again ushered in the Highest Level of African Basketball into the Kasarani Indoor Arena in emphatic style with an almost sell out crowd in a random Tuesday night, with many dawned in their trademark Nairobi City Thunder jerseys and flags rallying behind the Kenyan Basketball champions.
From courtside celebrities in Boutross Munene, Barak Jacuzzi and East side’s most beloved Big Yasa to Claudia Naisabwa rallying the home crowd in the VIP session with the likes of Wilson Muchemi watching on eagerly from the stands.
It was a pure basketball atmosphere, even Tanzania’s very own Rayvanny turned up in style to cheer on the electric Dar city basketball, and if not for the Isukuti dancers dancing all game on the other side of the court, one could have easily confused this for a Kenyan Grammy Awards
However, this was not a night for the celebrities to steal the show, but a night for Thunder to strike on Ugandan Rivals Namuwongo Blazers, who tried to go head to head with the Brad IBS led side but were quickly reminded that they were on dangerous territory where the champions were salivating for blood.
Even in the absence of the versatile and lethal Garang Ding, the King’s of Nairobi were off to a slow start, but once the jitters went away, the Brads Ibsl ed side looked ever so fluid in their attack, with non-stop fast breaks, no surprise they scored 24 fast break points as Albert Odero stepped up constantly making headway into the paint and for those who know him like I do, we both know it’s not a Thunder game without an Albert Odero monstrous dunk as he brought one down in the second half to ensure he dropped an impressive 16 points
However, the highlight award would not go to Odero this time round as veteran Captain Tyler Ongwae brought the house down with an impressive Windmill jam that sent the Indoor Arena into wild chaos, so much that the Namuwongo Blazers requested a time out. It was pure show time as Captain Fantastic closed off the game with 13 points.
Derrick Ogechi got only 20 minutes under his belt, but that wasn’t enough to stop Mr Efficient as he tallied a total of 14 points. New recruit Lance Thomas constantly showcased his class and experience as brought the home crowd to its feet, drilling three triples to seal a team high 18 points. Eugene Adera dominated the paint with his ever high energy to tally an impressive 10 rebounds while BAL combine MVP Chase Adams showed the Ugandans how to run a true offense with 7 assists in just 16 minutes.
Former NBA center After Majok was 2 points off a double double as Fans Favorite Faheem Juma came on in the final minute and knocked down a trademark three from deep to seal a 89-62 win.
Despite the win, Head coach Brad IBS played it close to the chest, insisting they are keen on taking it a game at a time while Captain Tyler Ongwae made it clear they are keen on defending their title.
However for those who attending the high octane clash left the Arena with a clear message; that a new culture is slowly but surely blending in, one that brings together Hoops, Culture, fashion and music with Nairobi City Thunder at the very front. Basketball is now home.
