Maluach, Diop power NBA Academy Africa past Pazi BBC in Group A opener 

 

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - You blink you miss it! From dunks to swats and jumpers to treys, the action-packed clash between debutants Pazi BBC of Tanzania and NBA Academy Africa had everything to offer.  

The two sides faced off on Tuesday in the opening Group A fixture at the ongoing 2024 East Division Elite 16 campaign at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

It was a game of two halves, the two sides playing a relatively close match in the first half but the Academy ran rings around Pazi in the second half for an 84-57 victory. 

Dhieu Deing's double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds weren't enough to avoid Pazi's defeat to the NBA Academy Africa  

Dhieu Abok Deng scored 8 for Pazi with Seifeldin Hendawy responding with 7 of his own in the first quarter as the two sides tied on 12 points in the opening 5 minutes before the Academy youngsters went on a 6-point strong run to lead 18-12, taking the quarter that had 3 lead changes and as many ties 23-18. 

Ulrich Chomche picked from where his teammate had left off, scoring 6 to take his tally to 11 while adding 6 rebounds for a double-double that propelled NBA Academy to a 20-17 performance, extending their lead to 8 points heading to the halftime break. 

With 7.25 to play in the third quarter, Pazi were forced into a timeout as coach Henry Mwinuka sought to arrest the opponent's run that had the Tanzanian side trailing 50-35. 

The East Africans, however, grew increasingly frustrated by their bluntness on the rim and that manifested in more desperate shots that only served to add to their turnovers as Alfred Aboya's charges used their height advantage to pounce on any loose balls.

There was little that Pazi could do in the final period to change the result despite putting up a spirited fight to trail 19-14. 

Khaman Maluach finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks

TURNING POINT: Ten points for Amar Ankou Diop for NBA Academy and seven more for South Sudanese international Khaman Maluach who had 7 in the first half gave Aboya's side a 22-8 advantage in the third quarter for a 22-point cushion heading to the final period. 

HERO: NBA Academy Africa skipper Khaman Maluach led by example, bagging 19 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double with teammate Chomche worth a mention for his 13 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. 

STATS DON'T LIE: NBA Academy Africa dominated the paint going 48-18 ahead, a statistic that coach Henry Mwinuka admits was his side's main undoing.  The side also outdid the Tanzanians on bench points with 14 against four as well as 9-5 on fast breaks. Pazi had the better stats second-chance points going 21-15. 

Seifeldin Hendawy

BOTTOM LINE: Pazi who are hoping to make history as the first Tanzanian side to feature in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have their work cut out as they play their two remaining group matches. 

WHAT THEY SAID: "NBA Academy are a good side that has played together for quite some time and they were the better side in this game. We have some adjustments to make after this match, but I still believe we have what it takes to make it past the group stage and fight for a place in the 2024 BAL. 

"We will have Hasheem Thabeet in action in the coming matches, having rested him in this match as he was still under observation for a possible injury after an awkward fall. He has, however, been given the green light." - Henry Mwinuka, head coach Pazi BBC. 

FIBA