After APR withdrew from the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL), coach James Maye Jr. joined RSSB Tigers as assistant coach after the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) designated the membership to symbolize the nation on the continental competitors.
Maye Jr is a part of a robust technical bench led by head coach Henry Mwinuka alongside assistant coach Kenny Gasana, one other former participant with BAL expertise. The trio guided the Tigers through the Kalahari Convention in March, the place the staff topped the standings to safe qualification for the playoffs scheduled for Could 22–31 in Kigali.
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On the Tigers, Maye Jr has been tasked with a number of technical obligations, together with offensive programs, tactical planning and sport formations. Talking to Occasions Sport, he stated the teaching employees has made important progress regardless of initially having very restricted preparation time.
“We didn’t have a lot time, however I feel we did a superb job mixing our talents collectively and dealing loads on techniques, offense, technique and completely different elements of the sport,” he stated.
RSSB Tigers had lower than every week to arrange for the Kalahari Convention however nonetheless managed to impress. With the playoffs now approaching, the 2025 Rwanda Cup champions have loved extra time to strengthen staff chemistry and enhance their tactical understanding.
In accordance with Maye Jr, the extra preparation interval has allowed the technical employees to analyse sport footage, consider the squad’s completely different strengths and higher perceive how particular person abilities can complement each other on the court docket.
The American coach added that the additional time has additionally helped the staff research potential opponents, anticipate defensive schemes and develop methods to create scoring alternatives for each the shooters and inside gamers.
Discussing the membership’s newest additions, APR ahead Osborn Shema and Malian heart Oumar Ballo, who performs in Italy’s prime division, Maye Jr stated the pair convey added measurement, flexibility and steadiness to the squad.
“They permit us to stretch the ground a little bit extra and provides us extra top,” he defined.
“We didn’t have a variety of measurement through the convention, however Shema provides us rim safety, size on the perimeter when we have to swap defensively, and he can even run the ground and shoot the ball, which is essential for this group.”
On Ballo, Maye Jr highlighted the Malian’s bodily presence within the paint and his influence across the basket.
“Including Ballo provides us actual strain within the paint. He finishes nicely, he’s very robust on the block, bodily, rebounds nicely and might block pictures. He provides us a real inside presence,” he stated.
Maye Jr additionally emphasised the significance of house help through the playoffs, calling on basketball followers throughout the nation to rally behind the Tigers as they symbolize Rwanda on the continental stage.
“As I discussed final 12 months, BAL is a global competitors. It doesn’t matter which native membership you help, whether or not it’s inexperienced and white, pink and white or black and white. Once you come right here, it’s a must to come as Tigers supporters as a result of we’re representing the nation,” he stated.
“We want everybody behind us. Let’s come collectively, help the staff and work in direction of victory.”
