Kenya's Odero dreams big, eyes AfroBasket podium finish, Olympic and World Cup appearances

KIGALI (Rwanda) - For Kenyan guard, Albert Odero there is nothing impossible in life if one can dream big. He's debuting for Kenya at FIBA AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 24-year-old graduate of Arkansas Tech University in the US, insists that Kenya's first appearance at AfroBasket in almost three decades is about fighting for a podium finish.

"I AM THRILLED WITH THE KIND OF TALENTS ON DISPLAY IN THIS YEAR'S AFROBASKET. IT GOES TO SHOW THAT AFRICA WILL SOON BECOME THE BEDROCK OF BASKETBALL IN THE ENTIRE WORLD AND KENYA WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND."- Albert Odero

After helping his country advance to the Qualification Round to the Quarter-Finals thanks to a 72-66 victory over Mali, Odero took time out to bear his mind with FIBA.basketball about his dream with Team Morans who staged a come back to Africa biggest championship after twenty eight years of absence; his career among other topics.

"I am fresh out of college from the prestigious Arkansas Tech University in the United States of America and I am open to any good offer so as to jumpstart my professional career," Odero noted.

Albert Odero

Asked to talk about his first steps in basketball, the 1.94m (6ft 4in) guard replied: "Though I can't remember what particular stage it all began but I think it's between my sixth or seventh grade that I started to flirt with basketball and as years rolled by I decided to take it seriously and I must commend my parents for their support in making me what I am today."

Kenya come from a region on the continent that has shown tremendous basketball progress over the past few years. Four out of 16 nations that competed at AfroBasket 2021 came from the East Africa region. They are: Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. 

Odero went on saying: "Yes, Kenya may have missed out of AfroBasket for twenty eight years, that is even before I was born but we, the players, have resolved among us that never again will our beloved country miss out any edition of the AfroBasket and the newly created FIBA AfroCan.

"I am thrilled with the kind of talents on display in this year's AfroBasket. It goes to show that Africa will soon become the bedrock of basketball in the entire world and Kenya will not be left behind."

In his first three games at AfroBasket 2021, Odero emerged as the team's second leading scorer - behind dependable Tylor Ongwae - with 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.  

"My dream as an individual, which my teammates have resolved to cue into, is that we want to ensure that Kenya make a podium finish here in Kigali and fight for a spot at the next FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Games 2024."

Looking back at Kenya's two defeats in the tournament, Odero insisted that Team Morans could have done better.

"Determination is the language and Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria are very lucky to have defeated us at the group stage because we are just learning the rope, but that can not happen again if we get to meet both sides as the championship progresses to the knock-out stages," Odero observed.

Albert Odero

Kenya defeated Mali in their Group C's last game on Saturday to set up a Quarter-Finals Qualification against neighbouring South Sudan with an eye for the Quarter-Finals on Wednesday.

FIBA