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2023 RBL season

The 2023 RBL season was the second season of the Rwanda Basketball League under its current name, while the top-level competition has been organised by the FERWABA for a longer time. The season began on 12 January 2023 with the regular season. The playoffs began on 23 August and ended on 9 September 2023.

APR won a record-extending 14th national title, following a clean sweep of defending champions REG in the finals. With their victory, APR ended a 14-year title drought. APR guard Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was named Playoffs MVP.

As champions, APR qualified directly for the 2024 BAL season.

Team changes

Team changes

Orion was promoted on 17 July 2022 after reaching the finals of the Rwanda Basketball League Division 2. Kigali Titans were also promoted as the D2 champions.

Foreign players

The following non-African players played in the RBL in the 2023 season:

Regular season

The regular season was decreased from thirteen to twelve teams. This season, four teams are relegated to the Division 2, and the 2024 season will begin with ten teams.

Standings

Results

Playoffs

By losing the semi-finals to APR BBC, the Patriots did not reach the finals for the first time in 9 years. APR won finals in a clean sweep, defeating the defending champions REG BBC in four games. This was the league’s first-ever sweep since introducing the best-of-seven format.

In the third place series, the Patriots forfeited Game 1 after not showing up, which resulted in a victory for Espoir BBC.

Semifinals

(1) REG vs. (4) Espoir

(2) Patriots vs. (3) APR

Third place game

Finals

Awards and statistics

Season awards

The winners of the annual awards were announced after the last game of the finals, on 9 September.

  • Season MVP: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir
  • Top Scorer: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir
  • Playoffs Most Valuable Player: Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, APR
  • Coach of the Year: Maz Trakh, APR
  • Top Scorer: Olivier Turatsinze, Espoir
  • Best 3pt Shooter: Nshimiyimana Yoronimu, IPRC Kigali
  • Best Defender: Frank Kamndoh, United Generations Basketball

Individual statistical leaders

After the regular season.

References