Trades shaping the Rwanda Basketball League 2026 Season

With less than a month before the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) season kicks off on January 24, clubs have been busy reinforcing their rosters ahead of a competitive 2026 campaign. Big signings and new talents are set to make an impact this season.

• Steven Hagumintwari to Tigers

Hagumintwari joined Tigers on a two-year deal, reuniting with coach Henry Mwinuka, who previously coached him at Patriots.

His transfer ended an 11-year spell at Patriots. At 32, he remains one of the league’s top forwards.

• Dieudonné Ndizeye to APR

The national team captain joined APR on a one-year deal after a season with Moroccan side MAS Fes.

Ndizeye was a standout performer in 2024 when Patriots finished runners-up to APR.

A former league MVP (2019), he has featured in two Basketball Africa League (BAL) editions, first with Patriots in 2021 and REG in 2022.

APR had attempted to sign him permanently in 2024 but the deal fell through.

• Jabs Newby to Kepler Basketball

Jamaican-Canadian point guard Newby signed a one-year deal with Kepler, marking his debut season in Rwanda.

Previously with Brampton Honey Badgers (CEBL), he played college basketball at Eastern Kentucky and Gannon University.

In Canada, he was drafted second overall in the 2014 NBL Canada Draft and impressed with scoring and playmaking during his rookie season.

• Frank Kamndoh to REG

The Chadian forward left Patriots for REG on a two-year deal. Kamndoh had been a key player at Patriots, and REG secured him amid a wave of offseason transfers.

• Albert Odero to Tigers

Kenyan-American guard Odero, 28, joins Tigers after a strong showing at BAL 2025 with Nairobi City Thunder.

With height of 1.96m, he brings international experience from Cape Verde, Spain, and the United States, having played for multiple professional clubs and colleges.

• Sandile Sibonyine to UGB

South African power forward Sibonyine signed a one-year deal with UGB for the 2026 season, after featuring for Made by Basketball in BAL 2025.

• Carlton Edward Bragg Jr to APR

APR also added American forward Bragg, 29, who played for Al Nassr Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and previously competed in the Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, and Canada.

Bragg, a former McDonald’s All-American and Kansas/New Mexico alum, brings experience and versatility to APR’s championship defense.

With these signings, the 2026 RBL season promises a highly competitive battle for the title as clubs strengthen their squads and integrate new talent.