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In terms of efficiency, Claire Lamunu was Uganda’s best player. She came off the bench to score 10 points, pull down nine rebounds and dish out two assists in 14 minutes.
The Uganda Gazelles were always going to find the going tough against West African side Mali in their opening game of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023.
Mali, ranked second in Africa, are a formidable opponent and were deserved winners against a predominantly young Gazelles side littered with debutants on the big stage.
But even in defeat, Uganda gave as much as they got and had some of the game’s best performers on the opening day of the tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
Jannon Otto
Her muscle cramps in the fourth quarter took a lot away from the team down the stretch. Uganda’s first option on offence was receiving treatment as the team struggled to get a run in the final moments of the game.
In the 32 minutes played, Otto managed a team-high 19 points, collected seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
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04:28 - 29.07.2023
BASKETBALL 2023 Afrobasket: Uganda Gazelles fall to Mali
The Uganda Gazelles paid the price for a poor offensive run down the stretch. They lost 80-66 to Mali in their opening game of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023 Friday afternoon in Kigali, Rwanda.
Unfortunately for Uganda, the naturalized talent missed the crucial bit of the game and will be in a race against time to fully recover and face Senegal.
Claire Lamunu
In terms of efficiency, Claire Lamunu was Uganda’s best player. She came off the bench to score 10 points, pull down nine rebounds and dish out two assists in 14 minutes.
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The US-based forward had little time to train with the team but showed her experience in the paint while on the floor.
Her minutes will likely increase as Uganda grows into the tournament.
Brenda Ekone
Head coach Alberto Antuna has emphasized quick transitional offence, and Brenda Ekone embodies the same.
In some stretches of the game, the Ekone was Uganda’s only guard on the floor, with Jane Asinde and Otto tasked with bringing the ball up.
The speedy guard registered 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Melissa Akullu
On her international debut, the Vanguard University big scored eight points and pulled down 10 rebounds to go down as one of Uganda’s best performers.
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In terms of efficiency, Akullu was only behind Lamunu and Otto.
Jane Asinde
One of Uganda’s best talents struggled to get going on offence. Asinde was limited to six points and added eight rebounds and three assists.
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The US-based forward is said to have picked up an injury in a friendly against Angola following a heavy fall.
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