LILONGWE (Malawi) - Bravehearts is one of the surprise packages of this season's Road to BAL, and their journey to the East Division Elite 16 has been well documented.
FIBA.Basketball takes a deep dive to gather insights about the Malawian club and their journey to the Elite 16.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ROAD TO BAL
Bravehearts, based in the Malawian capital Lilongwe, won their regional (Central Zone Basketball League) title and were eventually crowned national champions in late May.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ELITE 16
The Malawian champion's road to the Elite 16 was a triumph in the face of adversity. At the commencement of the Group E preliminary matches, Bravehearts had only eight registered players and got off to the worst possible start—losing their first two.
Bravehearts would regroup, winning their next two, with memorable victories over Fox Basketball Club of South Sudan and Mozambique's Costa do Sol, lighting the way to a debut in the Elite 16.
KEY PLAYERS IN ROAD TO BAL
Coach Griffin Kalua counted on veteran Zambia player Harrison Banda, who averaged a double-double in almost every game. With the battle for tickets to The BAL hotting up, big man Banda will look to maintain his 16 points per game and 13 rebounds per game.
Point guard Faad Billy played heavy minutes throughout the preliminary qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the 20-year-old played a starring role for Bravehearts.
His 17 points per game, nine rebounds, and five assists against Costa do Sol was part of the many big moments he showed up for Bravehearts.
Ian Limbe has been a mainstay for the Bravehearts. The shooting guard was also phenomenal for the Malawian giants and made big-time plays against Fox and Cost do Sol.
His 15 points, four points and four assists were crucial to the Bravehearts' historic progress to the Elite 16.
HEAD COACH
Griffin Kalua, the founder of the club, worked as an understudy before taking over the coaching reins in 2018, and in the past four years, Bravehearts has been a champion.
BAL HISTORY
Bravehearts have not featured in the BAL.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS REPRESENTING THE CLUB
Forward Banda has represented Zambia in the 2020 AfroBasket preliminary qualifiers and 2023 AfroCan qualifiers.
TEAM'S YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNERSHIP
The club (Bravehearts) came into existence in 2015 and was founded by businessman Griffin Kalua. Apart from its senior men's and women's teams, it also has junior teams.
WHERE DO THEY PLAY THEIR HOME GAMES?
Bravehearts call the ABC Blue Gym in Lilongwe home.
FIBA