Road to BAL: MVP Albert Odero on why he chose Thunder over Burundi's Urunani

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Albert Odero will feature for Nairobi City Thunder in the Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) East Division Group B set for Kibaha, Tanzania. 

Odero had the chance to choose between his Kenyan side and Burundi's Urunani, a side playing in the same group, having helped them lift their title and book a place in the BAL qualifiers. 

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"The plan was always to come back to Thunder," he confirmed in an interview with Mozzart Sport. 

"Urunani gave me a chance to help them qualify and once that mission was accomplished I was ready to get back home," Odero who is one of the key players for the Brad Ibs-coached Kenyan champions opened up. 

The Kenyan international says he is excited to face his 'brothers' from the Burundi outfit, a match slated for Friday 18 October from 7 pm (EAT), adding that the target is to go for yet another unbeaten run, after such a feat in the Kenyan league, in the five-team competition and qualify for the Elite 16. 

"We want to be in BAL and everyone is working to get there. All my Urunani teammates have played either in the qualifiers or in BAL proper and it was nice picking their brains on expectations, especially the type of competition I will face as I make my debut," the 27-year-old, who also made his debut in the Kenyan league last season with Thunder, offered. 

Just like his other teammates, Odero is eager to write history with Thunder as the first Kenyan side to go beyond the Elite 16 and feature in the 12-team BAL Conferences and eventually the Playoffs. 

"We are not only representing Thunder but the country as well. We are looking to go through, and improve the ecosystem of Kenyan basketball, and hopefully other teams follow suit.

We have everything we need to compete at the same level with teams from other parts of Africa as well as attract such talents to feature in Kenya. Qualifying for BAL will elevate our league and change the game towards professionalism," he further explained. 

Odero reveals that his debut season in Kenya, while not without its challenges, remains one of the most memorable seasons for him. 

"I am happy we won it all and that I got through an entire season without any incidents. I have had trouble with this since turning professional. Either an injury sidelines me, problems with documentation or I just get cut off so it was nice to finish a season and in the manner I did," he explains. 

Asked whether he had second thoughts when Thunder came calling, Odero said, "If anyone had asked me whether I would play back home four years ago, I honestly wouldn't have said yes. But I came home and had the best time playing basketball with the national team. 

When Thunder reached out I had no second thoughts as I had followed what they were doing and it was a good fit. It was like God was speaking to me and this was His plan. The chance to play in the BAL was the greatest motivation last season and I am glad we are here," he concluded.