Latest news with #NairobiCityThunder
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
How The Nairobi City Thunder Is Monetising Community Engagement To Build A Basketball Brand
KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 20: Tylor Okari Ongwae #23 of Nairobi City Thunder shoots the ball during the ... More game against Made by Basketball during the Nile Conference Group on May 20, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images) Kenya has long been a hub of basketball talent in East Africa, but it lacked a crucial element: a professional team to harness and showcase that potential. Too often, promising players had to leave their home country in search of opportunities abroad, while the local basketball scene struggled due to limited resources and infrastructure. This is where Colin Rasmussen came in. As the CEO and founder of Twende Sports, he recognised the urgent need to change this narrative. Understanding the untapped talent and missed opportunities for nurturing players at home, Rasmussen took on the ambitious challenge of building a professional team from the ground up: Nairobi City Thunder. In an interview with Rasmussen discussed the intentionality of building with the local talent, the key pillars behind the team's sustainability, their passionate fanbase as well as his broader vision. Under Rasmussen's leadership, Nairobi City Thunder has achieved more than just assembling a competitive team; they have ignited a movement. By bringing top Kenyan players back from overseas, including national team stars who had never played in the local league, the Thunder have created a squad capable of competing against the best on the continental stage. Now participating in the fifth season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and currently midway through the Nile Conference, they are proving their strength beyond Kenya's borders. KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 17: Albert Einstein Onyango Odera #14 of Nairobi City Thunder drives to the ... More basket during the game against Armee Patriotique during the Nile Conference Group on May 17, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images) At the heart of Thunder's journey is a strategic investment in Kenyan players, many of whom had previously showcased their talent abroad but had not had the opportunity to play domestically. Thunder made a conscious effort to reverse this trend by building a competitive roster anchored by homegrown talent. 'We doubled down on our Kenyan talent,' Rasmussen states. "Bringing back Tyler Ongwae was a huge deal for us. He's probably Kenya's most high-profile player and hadn't played in the local league before this season.' This move carried both symbolic and practical implications. For local fans, it signalled that the country's top talent no longer had to choose between ambition and staying home. For younger players, it provided visible role models and demonstrated that a successful career path could be forged without leaving the continent. Other key players also returned, including Albert Odera and Derrick Ogechi, who brought national team experience to the Kenyan league. In many ways, this return of talent is central to Thunder's philosophy: establishing a feedback loop where local development fosters national pride and enhances continental relevance. The vision of the Nairobi City Thunder is built on three core pillars: youth development, the professional team, and infrastructure. These components are not isolated projects; rather, they are interconnected elements of a long-term strategy designed to create a sustainable franchise. Together, they form the foundation of an organisation that aims not only to cultivate top-level talent but also to build a passionate fan base and establish a solid business foundation capable of overcoming challenges beyond the court. "From the beginning, we didn't want to structure this just as a pro team," explains Rasmussen. For him, the Nairobi City Thunder represents more than a basketball team competing in a league, it symbolises an entire basketball ecosystem in the making. "We've developed a youth and talent program, we've built out the professional squad, and now we're focusing on facilities." These pillars represent crucial stages of growth that the club sees as essential: nurturing young talent at the grassroots level, providing a competitive platform for players to excel, and developing the physical infrastructure that supports both initiatives. Rasmussen emphasises that this approach goes beyond merely winning games. "The goal is to build around these pillars so we can generate revenue and grow, regardless of how the team performs." In other words, the success of the franchise is not solely measured by wins and losses but by its ability to create a sustainable business model that can withstand the ups and downs of sports competition. Nairobi City Thunder At A Practice During The BAL's Nile Conference In Kigali, Rwanda The Thunder have at every touchpoint, they've tried to raise the bar, but one of the most striking areas of growth has been the Thunder's digital and in-person audience. "When we took over the team, we had 1,900 followers. This week, we are on track to hit 100,000,' Rasmussen shares. 'This growth gives us leverage, which is essential for turning basketball into a sustainable business.' The Thunder's fan engagement strategy combines modern digital storytelling with a deep understanding of local culture. They have created a match day experience that blends music, sports, youth culture, and streetwear, attracting not only basketball enthusiasts but also a broader, lifestyle-oriented audience. 'We want our games to be events that people don't want to miss, even if they don't know the rules of the game,' Rasmussen explains. 'We're trying to do things that replicate how things are done in more developed markets.' Nairobi City Thunder's commitment to its fans extends well beyond the basketball court. During the current Nile Conference, the team has organised watch parties in Nairobi for every game, creating communal spaces for fans to gather, celebrate, and share in the excitement of the team's historic debut in the continental championship. The opening game watch party took place in a specially erected tent, accommodating around 150 enthusiastic supporters who came together to cheer on Nairobi City Thunder's first appearance on the continental stage. This grassroots approach to fan engagement highlights the team's dedication to fostering inclusive and vibrant experiences for its community. Nothing underscores Nairobi City Thunder's rising fan loyalty quite like their recent initiative during the BAL Nile Conference. Partnering with Trinity Bus, the club covered 50% of the cost for 20 fans to make the gruelling 1,180-kilometre journey from Nairobi to Kigali. This road trip is a powerful statement: Fans are willing to cross borders, literally, to support a team they believe in. It's a clear sign that Thunder's following isn't built on convenience, it's built on conviction. This level of fan commitment is bound to create a virtuous cycle that strengthens the club's commercial appeal and helps position it for sponsorships and partnerships, essential to its long-term sustainability. A general view of the final game of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference between ASC ... More Ville de Dakar and Union Sportive Monastirienne at the Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, on May 4, 2025. ASC Ville de Dakar participated for the first time in the Africa Basketball League (BAL) after winning the Senegal championship in 2024, during the Sahara Conference against teams from Tunisia, Angola and Cape Verde. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) that brings together 12 teams showcasing some of the best players from across the continent. Rabat and Dakar have already hosted their respective conferences with Kigali hosting the Nile Conference on May 2025. The finals will take place in Pretoria on June 2025. (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT/AFP via Getty Images) The BAL has created new opportunities for African clubs but has also highlighted the infrastructure challenges many still face. For Nairobi City Thunder, making their BAL debut was the result of intentional preparation, but it also underscored the need for long-term planning. Despite Thunder's progress, the basketball ecosystem in Kenya still requires stronger teams, increased investment, and a move towards more professional standards. "I attended the local league in Rwanda on my first night here, and I am aware that the leagues in North Africa are also more competitive," says Rasmussen. 'Competing at that level would be a significant advantage for us. We want to inspire more investment in the sport in Kenya. It's not just about our club; if we develop in isolation, the competition won't grow, and we'll reach a ceiling.' 'We need to be playing competitively week in and week out. That's what other clubs are doing.' By examining the successful models in the BAL, the Thunder recognises the potential for growth when government support, corporate investment, and long-term planning work together. They aim to ignite that same momentum at home. As the BAL expands and African basketball continues to gain global traction, many clubs will be tempted by shortcuts, quick signings, foreign rosters, and short-term hype. But Nairobi City Thunder is playing a longer game. In doing so, they're changing what's possible, not just for Kenyan basketball, but for what African sports franchises can look like when built with purpose, patience, and people at the centre.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Prinsloo stars as SA's MBB snatch first Basketball Africa win at the death
Pieter Prinsloo and Robinson Odoch produced the magic as Johannesburg's Made by Ball (MBB) claimed their first win in the Basketball Africa League at the BK Arena in Kigali on Tuesday. Ugandan Odoch slotted a three-point dagger at the sound of the buzzer to usher in wild celebrations as MBB secured a come-from-behind 75-74 win over Nairobi City Thunder. Prinsloo is the main man that head coach Sam Vincent would have bought drinks for on Tuesday night. The Pretoria-born star scored 30 points, had 11 rebounds and an assist. Another standout performer for MBB was Teafale Lenard Jr with 20 points and Jovan Mooring, who added 10. The win over City Thunder now means the SA team either have to win one game with a superior points difference, or two games, depending on how other matches play out in the Nile Conference, to comfortably claim the last wild card spot.
The Herald
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Prinsloo stars as MBB snatch first BAL win at the death
Pieter Prinsloo and Robinson Odoch produced the magic as Johannesburg's Made by Ball (MBB) claimed their first win in the Basketball Africa League at the BK Arena in Kigali on Tuesday. Ugandan Odoch slotted a three-point dagger at the sound of the buzzer to usher in wild celebrations as MBB secured a come-from-behind 75-74 win over Nairobi City Thunder. Prinsloo is the main man that head coach Sam Vincent would have bought drinks for on Tuesday night. The Pretoria-born star scored 30 points, had 11 rebounds and an assist. Another standout performer for MBB was Teafale Lenard Jr with 20 points and Jovan Mooring, who added 10. The win over City Thunder now means the SA team either have to win one game with a superior points difference, or two games, depending on how other matches play out in the Nile Conference, to comfortably claim the last wild card spot. That berth is currently occupied by FUS Rabat of Morocco, who have won two games but have a negative 19-point difference. Vincent reshuffled his starting five and brought in 2.13m tall David Craig in place of Nathi Sibanyoni, who had started the opening two games against APR and Al Ahly Tripoli. MBB showed positive intent just seconds from the tip-off as Lenard Jr drove through City Thunder to put in a layup for the team's first two points. Cheik Mbacke levelled matters with a two-point jump shot. The spirit in the MBB side was at a high — the bench would stand up and signal that a shot was in, even before it was released. This confidence from their teammates motivated the starting five, and they fired two three-pointers consecutively, courtesy of Mooring and Prinsloo. Then Craig made his huge presence felt in the paint defensively and offensively, getting rebounds. In the first six minutes of the quarter, MBB took an 18-6 lead but like in the first two games when Vincent brought on the bench, the tempo dropped. City Thunder managed to close the gap to 18-15 with two minutes remaining but Neo Mothiba and Dyvonne Pfach, with their layups, ensured the Joburg side took a 22-15 lead in the first quarter.
The Herald
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Joburg's MBB blow lead in BAL showdown against APR in Kigali
Johannesburg Made By Ball (MBB) were left kicking themselves after they blew a first-half lead of 47-45 and ended up losing 103-81 to Armée Patriotique Rwandaise in the Basketball Africa League at the BK Arena in Kigali in Rwanda on Sunday evening. This was MBB's second loss in Africa's biggest basketball competition. Though there is still a week and four games to be played in the Nile Conference, they are now under pressure to deliver a win in the game on Tuesday against Nairobi City Thunder if they are to return to SA having qualified for the playoffs. City Thunder have problems of their own as they have lost their opening two games with 20-plus margins. Apart from international import Teafale Lenard Jr's 20 points, Jovan Mooring's 17 and Pieter Prinsloo's 13, none of the other MBB players made it past double figures against APR. This is no doubt something that will be on top of the agenda for MBB's head coach Sam Vincent. Ntore Habimana set the packed arena filled with APR supporters alight with his three-point shot from downtown from the tip-off. But Prinsloo quickly responded for MBB. That back and forth in the first minute would set the precedent for the first quarter, where APR would score and MBB would answer. The lead changed hands four times, and the game was tied on four occasions as well. Unlike the previous game, against Al Ahly Tripoli on Saturday, the MBB bench showed up in the points column, with every player having at least a bucket. And that proved to be crucial for them as they took a 26-23 lead in the first 10 minutes. That was the first time the South African debutants won a quarter in the BAL. MBB came out of head coach Sam Vincent's dugout talk with an extra gear offensively in the second quarter. Prinsloo was at the forefront in pressurising APR as he knocked two consecutive threes in the opening minutes of the stanza. Those shots saw the momentum shift the visitors' way. MBB at one point took an eight-point lead, but backed by chants from the crowd, APR managed to make a comeback and took the lead again. Regardless of the loud cheers, the Joburg team kept their cool under pressure and put up a fight. Vincent kept encouraging his team from the sidelines. He was animated and sweating while walking up and down the touchline. He was rewarded as his side took a 47-45 lead to the break, stunning the Rwandan crowd, who the previous day saw their team dismantle Nairobi City Thunder by a margin of 29 points. Whatever APR's head coach James Edward Maye Jr said in the dressing room revved up the Rwandan side in the opening minutes of the third quarter. They quickly closed the two-point gap and accelerated their pace in attack. As in their first game against City Thunder, APR went into overdrive in the last 20 minutes of the game. Aliou Diarra, Youssoupha Ndoye and Axel Olenga Mpoyo were the masters in the attack as they all hit double figures in the individual points column. The first five minutes of the third quarter registered 59-52 in favour of APR and then stretched it to finish the quarter 73-59. The loud cheers in the stands kept on growing, and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame smiled as the writing was on the wall for the SA team. Any chances of MBB making a remarkable comeback in the final stanza diminished as they were let down by average shooting from inside and outside the arc. Daily Dispatch
