Kampala, Uganda: The Namuwongo Blazers have unveiled their final 14-man squad ahead of their much-anticipated debut at the Road to the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The team departs Kampala today, Wednesday, October 15, before taking to the court from October 17 to 19 at the International School of Tanganyika.
Initially drawn alongside Burundi’s Dynamo and Tanzania’s Dar City, the group was restructured after FIBA suspended Burundi’s Basketball Federation, paving the way for Djabal Club from Comoros to join the pool. Each team will play twice, with the top two advancing to the Elite 16 of the continental league competition.
Squad bolstered with international experience
To fortify their debut campaign, the Blazers have signed three key players — John Murry, Joseph Obasa, and BeREAL Junior Jackson — all boasting international exposure and athletic depth.
American guard John Wesley Murry, formerly with NS Matrix Deers in the BCL Asia–East, averaged 20.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. He also featured in the Road to BAL 2025 with Kadji Sports Academy, averaging 9.3 points, 2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals. His offensive creativity and perimeter shooting are expected to energize the Blazers’ attack.
Nigerian forward Joseph Obasa, also a former NS Matrix Deers player, averaged 12.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the BCL. With Kadji Sports Academy, he recorded 9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, showcasing his defensive prowess and dominance on the boards.
Completing the trio is BeREAL Junior Jackson, a dynamic guard known for his versatility and composure under pressure, expected to strengthen both the offensive transitions and defensive setups.
The Blazers’ opening match will be against Tanzanian champions Dar City, coached by Maradona Gueye, the 2023 BAL Coach of the Year. Dar City features regional stars such as Solo Diabate, Nisre Zouzoua, and Raphiael Putney, making it one of the toughest matchups of the qualifiers.
Namuwongo Blazers Final 14-Man Squad includes: James Okello, Anthony Chuckwurah, Joseph Obasa, Peter Obleng, BeREAL Junior Jackson, Arthur Wanyoto, Moses Mugisha, Ivan Muhwezi, John Murry II, Innocent Ochera, Jimmy Enabu, Joel Lukoji, Tonny Drilleba, and Favour Mutumwa.
Team officials say the squad’s blend of youth, athleticism, and experience provides the right chemistry to compete on the continental stage for the first time.
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