The NBA roundup
The NBA playoffs are in full swing and many Afroballers took to the stage with their various teams. We round off this past week of the NBA Playoffs by highlighting the performances of some Afroballers.
Pascal Siakam, Cameroonian, of the Indiana Pacers put on a stellar performance in their first-round match-up against the Milwaukee Bucks to take the series (4-2) in which he averaged 22.2ppg and 8.8rpg. He and Oscar Tshiebwe, DR Congo center, will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals where they will take on New York Knicks.
OG Anunoby, Nigerian, is enjoying his time in New York since the trade from Toronto. He is a starter and defensive anchor in this young New York Knicks team. He came up clutch in game 6 with two momentum shifting threes late in the fourth quarter that saw them take down the Philadelphia 76ers with reigning MVP, Joel Embiid (Cameroon). The reigning MVP put up a valiant effort by scoring a series high of 50 points despite suffering from severe knee pains and discomforts. He [Embiid] alongside Ivorian center Mo Bamba bowed out in a 4-2 series loss to New York Knicks with Nigerian stars OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
Miami Heat all-star, Bam Adebayo’s season has come to an end after a 4-1 series loss to the Boston Celtics. The Nigerian led his team to an impressive home victory where the team broke the franchise record for the most threes made in a game. However, they fell short. This leads to the Boston Celtics playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semis where the Senegalese guard, Georges Niang, and Nigerian guard, Isaac Okoro, will be looking to upset the Celtics after a seven-game series thriller with the Orlando Magic.
Josh Okogie’s season also came to an end after the Phoenix Suns got swept by the Timberwolves. The Nigerian’s shooting precision and lock-down defense was not enough to help his team. This sees him and his countryman and teammate Udoka Azibuike bow out. The Timberwolves took game one in Denver against the defending champion and Nigerian forward Zeke Nnaji. They will be looking to even the series and defend their title.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, who were the number one seed proved their dominance by eliminating the Pelicans in a sweep. Lu Dort continued to play a pivotal role in this series and his leadership helped this young team achieve this feat. The Haitian will look to continue in this form as they take on the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference semifinals.
The WNBA roundup
Although it is still the preseason in the WNBA, there is a difference buzz around the upcoming season. It is one of the most anticipated seasons in recent years. This can be attributed to the quality of its draft class or just the fact that the world is starting to pay more attention to the league. Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings took to the stage against the Indiana Fever where she scored 19 points in the win against her fellow countrywoman, the Nigerian Center, Temi Fagbenle. Olivia Époupa, Cameroon, of the Minnesota Lynx enjoyed a win against Chicago Sky where she took on Nigerian forward, Michaela Onyenwere. Laeticia Amihere Ghanaian and Ivorian, also took to the court with Atlanta Dream alongside teammate Elizabeth Balogun, Nigerian, to take on Queen Egbo, Nigerian, of Washington Mystics where they won narrowly by 3 points. The week was capped off when Cameroonian forward, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu of the Seattle Storm, took played against the LA Sparks alongside Nigerian teammates, Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike where they narrowly lost.
The NBA playoffs continue this week where more Afroballers will be taking to the stage in their quest to win another championship. The WNBA preseason continues this week where more Afroballers will take to the stage.
The BAL roundup
The Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League started with a bang in Senegal, featuring four intense matches among Tunisia’s US Monastir, Rwanda’s APR, Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers, and Senegal’s AS Douanes. Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers maintained their unbeaten streak with a thrilling victory over Rwanda’s APR, securing their second consecutive win in the league. Led by Will Perry’s 31-point performance and Devine Eke’s all-around contribution, the Hoopers emerged victorious despite a late challenge from APR. John Wilkins’ missed free throws in the crucial moments dashed APR’s hopes of a comeback. On the other hand, APR, led by Obadiah Noel’s impressive 32-point effort, suffered their first loss in the tournament, currently placing them third in the conference standings with one win and one loss.
In another exciting matchup, Senegal’s AS Douanes claimed their first victory by defeating Tunisia’s US Monastir with a score of 76-59. Abdoulaye Harouna spearheaded Douanes’ offense with a stellar 35-point performance, guiding his team to a crucial win. Despite George Williams’ 16-point effort and Ater Majok’s dominant rebounding display for Monastir, the reigning champions of the 2022 BAL are yet to secure their first win in this year’s campaign. Former NBA Academy Africa player Jean Jacques Boissy contributed 11 points and eight assists for AS Douanes.
