The 2023 RBL season was the second season of the Rwanda Basketball League under its current name, while the top-level competition has been organised by the FERWABA for a longer time. The season began on 12 January 2023 with the regular season. The playoffs began on 23 August and ended on 9 September 2023.
APR won a record-extending 14th national title, following a clean sweep of defending champions REG in the finals. With their victory, APR ended a 14-year title drought. APR guard Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was named Playoffs MVP.
As champions, APR qualified directly for the 2024 BAL season.
Team changes
Team changes Orion was promoted on 17 July 2022 after reaching the finals of the Rwanda Basketball League Division 2. Kigali Titans were also promoted as the D2 champions. Promoted from 2021-22 RBL D2 Relegated from 2021-22 RBLKigali TitansOrionUR HuyeUR CMHS
Foreign players The following non-African players played in the RBL in the 2023 season:
Patriots BBC Ater Majok (Lebanon) Michael Dixon (United States) Kigali Titans Will Perry (United States) Álvaro Calvo Masa (Spain) APR Demarcus Holland (United States)
Regular season The regular season was decreased from thirteen to twelve teams. This season, four teams are relegated to the Division 2, and the 2024 season will begin with ten teams. Standings
Results
Playoffs
By losing the semi-finals to APR BBC, the Patriots did not reach the finals for the first time in 9 years. APR won finals in a clean sweep, defeating the defending champions REG BBC in four games. This was the league’s first-ever sweep since introducing the best-of-seven format.
In the third place series, the Patriots forfeited Game 1 after not showing up, which resulted in a victory for Espoir BBC.
Semifinals
(1) REG vs. (4) Espoir
(2) Patriots vs. (3) APR
Third place game
Finals
Awards and statistics
Season awards The winners of the annual awards were announced after the last game of the finals, on 9 September.
Season MVP: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir Top Scorer: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir
Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, APR Coach of the Year: Maz Trakh, APR Top Scorer: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir Best 3pt Shooter: Nshimiyimana Yoronimu, IPRC Kigali Best Defender: Frank Kamndoh, United Generations Basketball
Individual statistical leaders After the regular season. CategoryPlayerTeam(s)StatisticPoints Olivier TuratzinseEspoir471ReboundsKamndoh Betoudji FrankUnited Generations for Basketball269AssiSFTJean de Dieu NiyungehoEspoir125StealsOlivier TuratzinseEspoir69BlocksKamndoh Betoudji FrankUnited Generations for Basketball59
References