2023 RBL season

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.[1] The playoffs will begin on 23 August and ended on 9 September 2023.[2]

2023 RBL season
AssociationFERWABA
LeagueRwanda Basketball League
SportBasketball
Duration12 January - 9 September 2023
Number of teams12
Regular season
Top seedREG
Season MVPOlivier Turatsinze (Espoir)
Relegated to Division 2RP-IPRC Musanze
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPJean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza
(APR)
Finals championsAPR
(14th title)
  Runners-upREG

APR BBC won a record-extending 14th national title, following a clean sweep of defending champions REG BBC in the finals. With their win, APR ended a 14-year drought.[3] Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was named Playoffs MVP.[4]

As champions, APR quaified 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.[5] Kigali Titans were also promoted as the D2 champions.[6]

Increase Promoted from 2021-22 RBL D2 Decrease Relegated from 2021-22 RBL
Kigali Titans

Orion

 UR Huye

UR CMHS

Foreign players

The following non-African players played in the RBL in the 2023 season:[7]

Regular season

The regular season was decreased from 13 to 12 teams. This season, four teams are relegated to the Division 2.

Pos Team Pld W L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 REG 22 20 2 1980 1358 +622 42 Advance to Playoffs
2 Patriots 22 19 3 1868 1286 +582 41
3 APR 22 19 3 2054 1279 +775 41
4 Espoir 22 15 7 1838 1590 +248 37
5 Kigali Titans 22 12 10 1639 1599 +40 34
6 Orion 22 12 10 1614 1702 −88 34
7 Tigers 22 11 11 1537 1496 +41 33
8 United Generations for Basketball 22 10 12 1536 1580 −44 32
9 RP-IPRC Huye 22 5 17 1424 1777 −353 27 Relegated to Division 2
10 Shoot For The Stars 19 6 13 1325 1640 −315 25
11 IPRC-Kigali 22 2 20 1381 1913 −532 24
12 RP-IPRC Musanze 22 1 21 1129 2105 −976 23
Source: FERWABA

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.[9]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 REG 3
4 Espoir 0
1 REG 0
3 APR 4
2 Patriots 0
3 APR 3 Third place
2 Patriots 0
4 Espoir 2

Awards and statistics

Season awards

The winners of the annual awards were announced after the last game of the finals, on 9 September.[10]

Individual statistical leaders

After the regular season.[11]

Category Player Team(s) Statistic
Points Olivier Turatzinse Espoir 471
Rebounds Kamndoh Betoudji Frank United Generations for Basketball 269
Assists Jean de Dieu Niyungeho Espoir 125
Steals Olivier Turatzinse Espoir 69
Blocks Kamndoh Betoudji Frank United Generations for Basketball 59

References
  1. Sikubwabo, Damas (12 January 2023). "Basketball is back!". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  2. Sikubwabo, Damas (16 August 2023). "Basketball league playoffs due on August 23". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. Sikubwabo, Damas (9 September 2023). "PHOTOS: Basketball: APR clinch first championship in 14 years". The New Times. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  4. Sikubwabo, Damas (9 September 2023). "Nshobozwa, Trakh lead 2023 basketball league individual awards". The New Times. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. Sikubwabo, Damas (17 July 2022). "Basketball: Orion promoted to topflight league". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  6. Sikubwabo, Damas (11 January 2023). "Kigali Titans: What you need to know about the ambitious topflight newcomers". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  7. Sikubwabo, Damas (9 August 2023). "Basketball: Competition hots up as APR, Patriots reinforce rosters". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  8. Sikubwabo, Damas (15 February 2023). "Spaniard Masa signs for Kigali Titans". The New Times. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  9. Sikubwabo, Damas (3 September 2023). "Patriots forfeit Game 1 in third-place playoffs". The New Times. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  11. "Leaders". FERWABA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
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