06 September 2021 | Basketball

Uganda’s Silverbacks played their best basketball thus far, reaching the quarterfinal on their third appearance at AfroBasket.

Despite not having prepared for the tournament by having a training camp, the team strung together a 2-2 record that included beating continental heavyweights Nigeria.

James Okello who played 23 minutes in the quarterfinal game against Cape Verde says the team did its best but didn’t shy away from the fact that the team didn’t prepare well for the tournament.

“I don’t think we missed anything, we went on court and gave all we had to give. The boys fought, they fought so hard.

“The coach gave all his best so I don’t think there’s anything short we left back, we all gave our best given the fact that we didn’t have enough time to prepare, problems behind the scenes that you guys can't see.

“We just have to prepare better next time, get support earlier, maybe we will go further and we will probably get to the finals or even win, why not?” said Okello.

The 6’4” City Oilers center who also played his best game at the tournament against Cape Verde shared the reason behind that performance.

“I was personally fired up for this game and I wanted to take my team to the next level so I just sat back and thought of what I could give my team, what they need exactly from me and I think as a person I gave it all, all that they needed.

“I prepared very well, mentally, physically just that the ball didn’t bounce our way but I think I was better prepared for this game.”

Okello’s next assignment with the national side will be the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers that start in November.

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