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Nairobi City Thunder

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Nairobi City Thunder
Nairobi City Thunder logo
LeagueKBF Premier League
BAL
Founded1998
HistoryNSSF Stars
(1998–2003)
International Christian Church
(2003–2010)
Nairobi City Thunder
(2010–present)
ArenaNyayo Gymnasium
Capacity2,500
LocationNairobi, Kenya
Team coloursDark Navy, Orange and White
     
CEOColin Rasmussen
General managerStephen Domingo
Head coachBrad Ibs
OwnershipTwende Sports Limited
Championships2 (2000, 2024)

The Nairobi City Thunder are a Kenyan professional basketball team based in the Shauri Moyo neighborhood of Nairobi. Founded in 1998 as NSSF Stars, they play in the KBF Premier League, the top flight division of men's basketball in the country. The Thunder play in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the 2025 season, and are the first Kenyan team to play in the league.

Home games of the Thunder are played at the Nyayo Indoor Gymnasium, which has capacity for 2,500 people. The Thunder won two national titles, in 2000 (as NSSF Stars), and in 2024.

History

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The club was founded by Faustin Mgendi in 1998 as the NSSF Stars, a corporate team of the National Social Security Fund, a government agency responsible for retirement funds in the country.[1] Founder Mgendi later coached the team as well. The Stars reached the finals of the KBF Premier League for the first time in 1999, and won the championship in 2000.[1]

The team re-branded to the International Christian Center in 2003, as the church of the same name became the team's primary sponsor. The sponsorship agreement ran for seven years, and ended in 2010.[1]

From 2010, the team became self-funded and was named the Nairobi City Thunder, Their second finals appearance came 30 years later, in 2019.[2]

New ownership era

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In 2023, the team was acquired by Twende Sports Limited, founded by American entrepreneur Colin Rasmussen and ex-player Stephen Domingo.[3] Following the transaction, the club transitioned to a fully professional organization, becoming the first basketball team in Kenya to employ full-time professional players.[3] The acquisition gave the team significant financial support with the goal of establishing an elite basketball club and youth program.[4] The Thunder hired Brad Ibs as their head coach for the 2023–24 season, who took over from long-serving coach Sadat Gaya, and acquired several Premier League star players.[5]

The Thunder won their first national championship on 20 July 2024, when they defeated KPA in the finals of the 2023–24 season.[6][7] Thunder players Griffin Ligare and Albert Odero were named the league's Playoffs MVP, and Season MVP, respectively.[6]

As the national champions, they qualified for the Road to BAL, the qualifying rounds of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In the 2024 offseason, the Thunder signed Tylor Ongwae, who joined the team after playing nine seasons in Europe.[8] They also strengthened the roster with foreign players, including Will Davis and Uchenna Iroegbu.[9] After advancing past the first round, the Thunder further increased their firepower by attracting continental veterans Abdoulaye Harouna and Ater Majok, who had both played in each previous BAL season.[10] On December 2, they defeated City Oilers in the semifinals to qualify for the 2025 BAL season as the first Kenyan team in history.[11]

Players

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Current roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Nairobi City Thunder roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt.
G 0 United States Kenya Ogechi, Derrick 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 93 kg (205 lb)
1 South Sudan Diing, Garang
G 2 United States Nigeria Iroegbu, Uchenna 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
PG 7 Kenya Wachira, Kennedy 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
SG 11 Kenya Adera, Eugene 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
F 12 Kenya Ongwae, Tylor 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb)
PF 15 Kenya Koranga, Okall 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G/F 20 United States Kenya Odero, Albert 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
21 South Sudan Abuoch, Aboat
F/C 40 United States Davis, Will 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 103 kg (227 lb)
C 55 Kenya Okoth, Fidel 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
F Kenya Mwangi, James 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 81 kg (179 lb)
PG Kenya Ligare Wisyuba, Griffin 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: December 1, 2024

Notable players

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.


Head coaches

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  • Kenya Sadat Gaya: (–2023)
  • United States Brad Ibs: (2023–present)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Meet the team: Nairobi City Thunder". www.fiba.basketball. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (21 July 2024). "IN PICTURES: How Thunder struck down KPA for first ever league title". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lehohla, Manyehlisa (27 March 2024). "Thunder rocking Kenya and eyeing continental participation". The Big Tip Off. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Eyes on KBF title as Thunder unveil star-studded squad | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  5. ^ Kamuya, Ng'arua (5 January 2024). "Thunder is a shining example for potential sports investors". Nation. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b "City Thunder crowned basketball champions after sweep against KPA". Citizen Digital. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  7. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (20 July 2024). "INVINCIBLES! – Stylish Thunder strike down KPA to clinch first ever league title". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  8. ^ Malwa, Charlene (21 August 2024). "Thunder sign Kenyan star Ongwae ahead of title defence". The Star (Kenya). Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  9. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (20 September 2024). "League champions Thunder pack up squad with three foreign additions". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  10. ^ Isaboke, Alex (19 November 2024). "City Thunder foreign duo eager to guide team to first ever BAL experience". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Nairobi City Thunder becomes first Kenyan team to qualify for the BAL". www.fiba.basketball. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
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