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Nairobi City Thunder made history as the first Kenyan Basketball team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.
Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder has carved a momentous chapter in basketball history, emerging as East Division champions and earning a coveted spot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Their inspiring journey through the 2024 East Division Elite 16 tournament showcased resilience, teamwork, and a hunger for success that has elevated the team to continental prominence.
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09:52 - 09.12.2024
Nairobi City Thunder shifts focus to conquering Africa after historic BAL qualification
Nairobi City Thunder etched its name into history as the first Kenya team to qualify for the basketball extravaganza continental showpiece.
The tournament, held from November 16 to December 3 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena and Nyayo Gymnasium, saw the Thunder dominate with an impressive 8-1 record.
Their sole setback, a nail-biting 89-88 loss to Urunani in the group phase, proved to be only a minor hiccup.
The team quickly regained momentum, culminating in a decisive 99-86 victory over Kriol Star in the final game.
Bradley Thomas, the mastermind behind the Thunder’s success, expressed his pride in the team’s historic performance and preparation throughout the tournament.
“It feels like a privilege, right? Yeah, it really feels like a great privilege to be here as a coach,” Thomas said via TV 47.
“I just think, like, what I was most proud of was our preparation as the tournament went on. You noticed it, right? I noticed it too. There were long stretches where I was actually coaching very little during the game, not necessarily by choice, but because you could see the preparation was there. The guys were responding on their own, they were communicating together.”
Thomas credited the team’s cohesion and commitment to executing their strategy.
“And honestly, that's the way I like it. You do the hard work, you do the dirty work ahead of time, so that you're locked in and ready to go. The guys are on the same page, they're communicating, and then they're executing."
"I felt like there were so many moments throughout the five games where I could just stand there with my hands behind my back, not needing to make a lot of corrections or adjustments. These guys were locked in, and they were in it together,” he added.
With their BAL qualification, the Nairobi City Thunder embarks on a new chapter in their journey, representing Kenya and East Africa on one of the continent’s biggest basketball stages.
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07:54 - 22.12.2024
David Etyang: Nairobi City Thunder teen sensation sets lofty ambitions ahead of BAL debut
Nairobi City Thunder’s David Etyang has set bigger goals after earning a spot in the team that made history by qualifying for Basketball Africa League for the first time ever.
The BAL, set to commence on April 5, 2025, in Morocco, presents a formidable challenge as the team steps into a highly competitive arena demanding even greater resilience and skill.
As preparations for the tournament begins, the Thunder’s remarkable journey through the Elite 16 serves as both an inspiration and a foundation for their ambitions. With the lessons learned the team is hoping to make a lasting impact on the African basketball scene and continue their rise to prominence.
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