Basketball in Africa

Charles Mutebi

MTN-FUBA Classic League
UCU 91 Power 87
Nkumba 74 Miracle 71
Women
Sparks 71 Stormers 69
Today
Riders v Warriors
Women
Rangers v Nabisunsa

THIS was the day Emmanuel Enabu arrived on the big stage. It was also the day the UCU Canons returned to the big stage.

Anyone who might not have known what to expect from a team that flirted with relegation from the MTN-FUBA men’s first division last season might be helped by this: UCU 91 D’Mark Power 87.

It is result that according to Ivan and Jimmy Enabu, proves the Canons”can win the championship”. Ivan and Jimmy played a great part in swinging the result into UCU’s favour, relentlessly attacking Power the Enabu way. Yet it was another Enabu who really captivated the crowd.

It was their little brother Emma who was making his Power debut. And it was some debut. Emma ended the game with 12 points which was impressive for someone coming off the bench.

But even more incredible, he picked boards, hassled, bagged a steal and kept on making the kind of hawk-eyed passes that should not be made by a 19 year-old who is playing his first league match for the most talented team in the league.

Then again, talent is the one thing Emma has always had in abundance. He led his high school team to the national championship in 2008, a feat that had been accomplished by Ivan a few years before. He captained the national Under 18 team in the 2008 African championship qualifiers and spent last year impressing with the Knight Riders.

“Emma is very hardworking and he is also willing to learn,” said Jimmy, who ended with 16 points.