Over the weekend, the Lugogo Indoor Arena buzzed with energy, ambition and the unmistakable sound of sneakers squeaking against hardwood as a record number of young athletes turned up for the Under-16 and Under-18 national basketball trials organized by the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA).
A staggering 209 players: 139 boys and 70 girls vied for a coveted spot in the national pool, all dreaming of donning the national colours at the upcoming FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Hungary this August.
The trials, held under the keen eyes of seasoned coaches and basketball experts, marked a critical step in Uganda’s road to the international stage.
Coaches evaluated players on more than just height and hustle. Ball-handling finesse, decision-making under pressure, teamwork and basketball IQ all played vital roles in the selection process.
By the end of the intense weekend sessions, 30 boys and 30 girls had earned their way into the next phase. But the journey is far from over.
Between May 22nd and 24th, this group will be further narrowed down to 12 standout players, six boys and six girls, who will represent Uganda at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.
The World Cup, set to take place from August 26th to 30th in Hungary, will bring together elite youth teams from over 40 countries.
Uganda, which last competed in the tournament in 2017 and finished 17th, is eager to improve on that performance and establish itself as a rising force in youth basketball.
“This turnout is not just impressive in numbers, but in the sheer talent and dedication we witnessed on the court,” said one of the lead coaches.
“It shows the hunger among our young players to compete at the highest levels and bring glory to Uganda.”
