Kenya's 2025 AfroBasket dream is real for standout Odero

 

NAIROBI (Kenya) - There is little doubt that Albert Odero was a stand out in Kenya Morans' FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers Window 1 in Monastir, Tunisia.

The guard, whether pulling up for jumpers or attacking the basket, put up a virtuoso show in the three games Kenya played in their four team Group E.

Morans got their campaign off to a shaky start against the host Tunisia playing before their fans. They were humbled down 90-69 in the opener.

Next assignment was Angola in their second encounter and the Angolan side, boasting some young talents, soundly humiliated them 88-58.

Kenya finished 1-2 in the opening window of the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers

Their last game was against Guinea who had stretched Tunisia to the limit the previous day losing 85-78 in overtime.The West Africans gallantly fell 80-74 in an energy sapping duel.

Upbeat Odero starred. He averaged 18 points and was placed seventh, he had 4.3 assists while pulling down 3.3 rebounds per game in the three day championship.

In all the three games Kenya played, Odero managed to lead Morans in scoring. He went off for a game high of 25 points against Tunisia. 

Albert Odero was a constant threat to reigning AfroBasket champions Tunisia

Against 11-time continental champions Angola who introduced new youngsters, Odero nailed 10 points as Eugene Adera and Derick Ogechi each bagged 12.

In their last tie against Guinee, Odero dropped another high of 19 points to lead Morans tally. He returned home with his head held high.

"It was a good event," Odero told FIBA.basketball in an interview "It's always nice to compete for your country against other countries."

 "My teammates trusted me to do what they've seen me do in our practices and also the coach believed in me. A long with the work I've put in, I just felt confident while playing."

Kenya Morans are chasing their second straight appearance at AfroBasket

And how did Kenya manage to turn it around in their last encounter against Guinee after having lost teo.of their earlier games?

"We were able to build some sort of chemistry in the last game. Derrick (Ogechi) came up big for us in the second quarter, Joel was able to find his spots to be effective."

He went on:  "Bosire (Victor) did a good job defending Guinea's main offensive threat. Our big guys were battling down low for rebounds and defensive stops."

"Overall, I think the team did a good job of being aggressive." said Odero who played his college basket at Arkansas Tech University in the USA.

He observed that all the players including the ones who ply their trade outside the country have to find some time to play with each other. 

"Both local and diaspora players contribute and if we can find a way to gel, maybe some more scrimmages against other national teams. It would help us tremendously."

26-year-old Albert Odero is seen here in action at 2021 AfroBasket

Odero did duty for Kenya when he made his debut in the last FIBA AfroBasket in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021. Kenya finished the twelve team event in   ninth position.

It was here that Odero announced his presence. He did well in his first outing sinking 18 ppg,  4.5 assist 3 rebounds per game 

He said they are going into the qualifiers with the same mindset- that of win and advance. Each round is gonna get harder..

On his new club Nairobi City Thunder, Odero who arrived home for national team training from New York, is happy that he has joined a good organisation.  

"The Thunder is a good organization, their very serious with their approach on winning the premiere league and making it to Basketball Africa League (BAL)."

 The move by the team, he says could help contribute to getting a Kenyan team in the BAL and this will be a good feeling.

Kenyan champions Kenya Ports Authority and Ulinzi Warriors have tried their hands in the BAL but the two giants have fallen by the sides.

 "It's the best competition in Nairobi. They gave me an opportunity to play basketball again and I appreciate that." said Odero.

In his  first Kenya National Basketball League match away in the North Rift in Eldoret over the weekend, Thunder drowned home team Eldonets Platinum 91-58 with Odero tallying 10 points

Odero's mission is two fold- to help Kenya make it to the next AfroBasket tournament and guide Thunder to a national title and a BAL outing.

FIBA