Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/22 16:30 | - | APR BBC vs Patriots | 73-70 |
| 09/20 18:30 | - | Patriots vs APR BBC | 78-80 |
| 09/20 14:30 | - | Rwanda Energy Group vs Kepler BBC | 86-66 |
| 09/18 18:00 | - | APR BBC vs Patriots BC | 49-61 |
| 09/15 16:00 | - | Patriots vs APR BBC | 53-67 |
| 09/15 13:00 | - | Kepler BBC vs Rwanda Energy Group | 56-92 |
| 09/13 17:00 | - | APR BBC vs Patriots | 101-93 |
| 09/11 17:00 | - | Patriots BC vs APR BBC | 83-71 |
| 09/04 18:30 | - | APR BBC vs Rwanda Energy Group | 66-61 |
| 09/04 16:00 | - | Patriots vs Kepler BBC | 89-66 |
| 09/01 17:30 | - | Rwanda Energy Group vs APR BBC | 60-65 |
| 09/01 15:00 | - | Kepler BBC vs Patriots | 68-107 |
Wikipedia - Rwanda Basketball League
The Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) (formerly the National Basketball League Rwanda) is the top professional basketball league in Rwanda. Its season usually runs from November to September. The winners of the NBL season qualify for the qualifiers for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The league currently consists of 10 teams, most of them being from the country's capital Kigali. The current champion of the RBL are APR, who are the league’s most decorated team with a record 15 championships. Other notable teams are REG and their rivals Patriots, who have been powerhouses in recent years.
Since the 2021–22 season, the FERWABA also organises the RBL Division 2 to which the bottom two teams of the RBL relegate.
History
Basketball was introduced in Rwanda in 1930 by Catholic priests, who first thought the sport at high schools in the Southern Province. The following decades, the presence of the sport increased as the military and some public institutions created basketball teams. In 1974, the national basketball federation FERWABA was established. Three years later, in 1977, the first national league was created.
The 1994 Rwandan genocide threw the sport back, because Tutsi players, spectators and administrators died and crucial infrastructure was destroyed.
In the 2000s, APR was the dominant team in Rwanda and it participated in the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup thrice. Its best result was a bronze medal in 2009.
From 2011 to 2015, Espoir BBC won four straight national titles. From then, two newly established teams REG (owned by the Rwanda Energy Group) and Patriots entered the league. The two teams became rivals and played each other in the finals for several years.
In the 2020s, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) was introduced – the first editions were hosted by the BK Arena in Kigali. Patriots finished in fourth place in the inaugural 2021 season. The league changed its name to the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) in 2023. FERWABA introduced two new competitions, the Rwanda Cup and the Rwanda Super Cup, for the 2024 season.
The Rwanda National League is the premier basketball tournament in Rwanda, showcasing the country's top talent and fostering a vibrant sports culture. Established to promote the growth of basketball at both the grassroots and professional levels, the league features a competitive lineup of teams from across the nation, each vying for the coveted championship title.
Held annually, the Rwanda National League attracts passionate fans, local communities, and international spectators, creating an electrifying atmosphere in arenas throughout the country. The tournament not only highlights the skills and athleticism of players but also emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and the spirit of competition.
With a commitment to developing young talent, the league serves as a platform for aspiring athletes to showcase their abilities and gain exposure to higher levels of play. The Rwanda National League also plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and unity, bringing together diverse communities through the love of basketball.
As the tournament progresses, teams engage in thrilling matchups, with each game filled with intense rivalries and unforgettable moments. The league culminates in a grand finale, where the best teams battle it out for the championship, celebrating the pinnacle of basketball achievement in Rwanda.
Join us in experiencing the excitement, passion, and camaraderie of the Rwanda National League, where every dribble, shot, and cheer contributes to the rich tapestry of Rwandan basketball history.