Uganda’s Gazelles leave a mark on FIBA Women’s AfroBasket

The Uganda female national basketball team, the Gazelles have left the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Kigali with heads high after putting up a stellar performance.

Having lost their opening Group C game against Mali, the Gazelles shocked everyone when they beat Senegal 85-83 in their second group game as Jannon Otto scored a team-high 21 points while Jane Asinde added 20 to ensure Uganda shocked the West African country.

The Gazelles later beat neighbours Democratic Republic of Congo, 88-62 in the quarter final to set up a clash with Rwanda in the quarter finals.

They fell on Rwanda’s sword and lost to Mozambique in their first classification game.

The Gazelles however lifted themselves up with an 85-44 win against Guinea in the second classification game.

The win ensured Uganda finished seventh in the tournament, the best ever finish for Uganda in a tournament they have participated in for the third time.

Gazelles dominant

Despite the Gazelles finishing seventh, the team’s Jannon Otto really impressed during the tournament after being awarded the tournament’s top-scorer and also named in the best team of the tournament as the best small forward.

Otto tallied 128 points in the six games the Gazelle played at the tournament in Kigali, averaging 21.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

“I just want to thank my teammates really. I feel like they were the ones behind the scenes; they gave me the ball, put me in the right positions, then also our coaches for trusting me and of course thanks to all of the fans, thanks for the support you gave us. We couldn’t have done it without you,” Otto said of the accolades.