Basketball MVP Wachira opens up on Morans debut

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ken Wachira can’t wait to suit up for the national team, Kenya Morans, again after making his debut at the just concluded World Cup Qualifiers in Egypt.

The 27-year old who has since landed his first professional stint with Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers following a stellar performance with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), says featuring for Morans was a learning moment despite the challenges that came with the trip.

“This was a good experience for me and a great motivation to my professional career that is just getting started. Being my first outing with the national team, I was jittery at first but after settling in I was able to give a good account of myself.

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I know that I can do better with more preparations but this was a good starting point. I have picked lessons that will go a long way in making me a better player both at club and national level,” offered Wachira who is looking to help Blazers to the Ugandan league title.  

In his opening match for Morans, Wachira scored eleven points five rebounds and three steals against Egypt. He added ten in the second match against Senegal to maintain some form of consistency.

Morans got the qualifiers off to a losing start in February, going down 66-56 to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and it was downhill from there on. They fell 105-51 to Egypt and100-55 to Senegal.

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In the just concluded window, it was a 20-00 walkover against DRC, as the team arrived in Alexandria a day late and barely had time to rest before going down 72-39 and 86-54 to Egypt and Senegal respectively.

Kenya exits the qualifiers alongside Rwanda, Central Republic and Mali who were disqualified from the tournament and the results of all games they played nullified for handing a second walkover. 

“Teamwork is key on that level. If any of the squad members is having a bad game everyone has to be there for them and that makes it easy to snap out of it.

This experience has also opened my eyes to the importance of physical strength and fitness both mental as well as physical. Everyone you play against is at their best and that forces you to level up,” added Wachira who is hoping to make the squad for the upcoming AfroCAN qualifiers.