Basketball flows like poetry.
In the ’90s, Kenyan fans eagerly tuned in every Sunday afternoon to witness National Basketball Association (NBA) legends in action.
Iconic moments like Magic’s no-look pass, Jordan’s fadeaway, Shaq’s powerful dunk, and Kobe’s precision pump-fake left lasting memories.
Today, Steph Curry channels the shooting prowess of ’90s star Reggie Miller, sinking threes from incredible distances to join the ranks of these legends.
In Kenya, basketball enjoys a dedicated fanbase and a well-structured league.
While football and athletics remain dominant, basketball has carved a place for itself, particularly in urban areas.
Introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Christian missionaries and colonial administrators, the sport initially thrived in mission schools and YMCA centers before spreading to cities like Nairobi.
Schools played a vital role in nurturing young basketball talent as it gained momentum nationwide.
The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) was founded in 1966, leading the sport’s development.
Basketball saw steady growth through the 1970s and 1980s, with universities and schools nurturing new talent.
In the 1990s, Kenya began making strides on the international stage, especially with the Lionesses, the national women’s team.
The men’s team also competed continentally but faced setbacks in qualifying for major events due to infrastructure issues and inconsistent support.
The 2009 Sprite Slam Africa tournament rekindled enthusiasm for basketball among Kenya’s youth.
The event featured mini-camps across Kenya and involved high schools equipped with Sprite-branded courts, boards, and balls.
NBA icons like Glen Rice and Juwan Howard joined to evaluate players for an NBA camp in South Africa.
Though the tournament lasted only three years, it inspired many young athletes.
In recent times, Kenyan basketball has gained renewed momentum.
The rise of platforms for international exposure and the emergence of Kenyan players abroad have reinforced the sport’s importance.
American-born Kenyan player Iffi Kazmi, aiming to represent the Morans, Kenya’s men’s national team, brings aspirations of entering the NBA, sparking excitement about the sport’s future.
In 2023, Kenya’s basketball scene celebrated a milestone as the NBA strengthened its presence by pledging support through a local office.
This year, NBA’s partnership with Safaricom, facilitated by M-PESA, brought a youth development program focused on empowering young athletes through basketball.
The initiative, targeting youth under 16, includes regional and national Jr. NBA tournaments, NBA Fit and coaching clinics, and an elite camp for top Kenyan players.
“Our collaboration with Safaricom extends the NBA’s efforts to support basketball in Kenya and throughout Africa,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“We are eager to create more opportunities for youth to stay active and learn values inherent in sports,” he added.
This collaboration represents the NBA’s largest youth development program in East Africa, positioning Safaricom as an official Jr. NBA partner in Kenya.
