AfroBasket 2015 - Team Profile: Uganda

KAMPALA (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating teams competing in the championship running from 19-30 August.

Team: Uganda
FIBA Ranking Men: None
Last participation in the AfroBasket: None
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: None
Qualified for AfroBasket 2015 - Finished second in the five-team Africa Zone 5 qualifier ahead of Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia, but behind of Egypt.

History/Qualification: The Ugandans made history last September by qualifying for this year's AfroBasket after finishing second - behind Egypt - in Africa's Zone 5 qualifier held in Uganda's capital city of Kampala.

Along with Zimbabwe, Uganda will be one of two debutants in the 16-team tournament.

The qualification was described as Uganda's biggest basketball achievement in decades and changed the picture of basketball in the East African country, especially as the "Silverbacks" snapped Rwanda's dominance in the region.

After so many fruitless attempts to qualify for AfroBasket, Uganda's Basketball Federation - which has been working hard in promoting the game all over the country - seemed to have reinvented its approach to the game by attracting their foreign-based players and the initiative has paid off.

The Ugandans will be the only East African nation in the tournament and will be aiming at making the most of the experience.

Key Player: Although Ivan Lumanyika was crucial in helping Uganda beat region rivals Kenya 83-71 in the Africa Zone 5 last September - finishing with a team-high 15 points and game-high 11 rebounds - 36-year-old Henry Malinga remains a vibrant member for the Silverbacks.

Rising Star: Regarded as Uganda's Most Outstanding Player during the qualifiers, point guard John Balwigaire, who played college basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, is a player to watch. The 1.86m point guard inspired the Silverbacks throughout the qualifiers and is expected to take a key role in Tunisia 2015.

Outlook: Uganda could have been a little luckier, but facing the host nation Tunisia on Day 1 of AfroBasket 2015 is not necessary what the debutants would have asked for.

As a result of it being their first appearance at AfroBasket, the Ugandans are a mystery for most of the 16 teams with the exception of Egypt, a team they faced in the qualifier.

Meanwhile, taking on Tunisia, title contender Nigeria and the Central African Republic in Group A will certainly be their toughest task ever.

In just six words: Make the most of the opportunity.

FIBA