Gazelles team named ahead of Afrobasket

With the 2015 Fiba Women’s Afrobasket only days away, the Uganda Gazelles are set to start serious preparations.

The continental showpiece is slated for July 26 to August 3 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Uganda, who qualified by winning the Fiba Zone V Championship in Cairo, Egypt in February, will be looking to better their seventh-place finish from the last edition.

As part of the preparations, a squad of 13 players has been summoned by head coach Nicholas Natuhereza will start non-residential training on Thursday at the African Bible Institute in Lubowa.

"We're focused on trying to get the roster together, fill some pieces, some gaps that were left by some players that are not available,” Natuhereza said.

Notably missing on the team is guard Lydia Babirye, who is unable to make the trip because of her academic commitments.

Natuhereza added: “We have been trying to update the roster from the qualifiers and also have a better team from the one we had at the last Afrobasket, practice will help us get the players back on the same page and in shape."

Jannon Otto, who was the top scorer and made the dream team of the last Afrobasket, will also miss the tournament.

In Otto’s absence, Paige Robinson will take the slot as Uganda’s naturalized player.

New to the team will be US-based guard Mya Wasswa, who will be expected to add quality to the back court. She plays for Coker Cobras in the US.

Claire Lamunu and Jamila Nansikombi are the other US-based players joining the team.

Led by Jane Asinde, who was named MVP of the qualifiers, Uganda will be looking to get into the semifinals.

Melissa Akullu and Hope Akello and Claire Lamunu are some of the players who made a serious impact for the Gazelles in 2023 and their experience will come in handy for the team in Abidjan.

Evelyn Nakiyingi and Perus Nyamwenge, who both missed the qualifiers in Egypt, are now part of the team, with Tracy Namugosa also making the cut.

Uganda has been drawn in Group C, where they will face Senegal and Guinea in the group stages.

Uganda Gazelles

Head Coach: Nicholas Natuhereza

Assistant Coaches: Julius Lutwama, Ben Komakech

Video Analyst: Michael D. Segar

Physiotherapist: Flavia Nakachwa Mugabwa

Team Doctor: Dr. Vincent Etyang

Team Fitness Trainer: Abdellatif Badre

Players: Shakira Nanvubya, Evelyn Nakiyingi, Perus Nyamwenge, Tracy Namugosa, Mya Wasswa, Agatha Kamwada, Jane Asinde, Jamila Nansikombi, Paige Robinson, Hope Akello, Sharon Kirabo, Melissa Akullu, Claire Lam