The 2025 National Basketball League is less than 7 days away from tip-off and today we look at the early season rankings.

We are going to divide these teams into 3 groups, the challengers, mid-table and others.

Top tier are the teams that have the potential to go and win it all.

Mid-table teams are those that do not look good enough to challenge for the title but are good enough to be out of relegation.

Lower tier refers to teams that will most likely be in the relegation fight.

Top tier

City Oilers

The 10-time champions are looking to extend their streak and getting the championship from them will not be an easy task.

They added the services of rim protector and veteran forward Joseph Chuma, upcoming star Edgar Munaba, Okumu Demunu and Bolton Rujumba.

Demunu and Rujumba have been with the Oilers since the training for Road to BAL and by now, they are well acquainted with how the team runs.

The Oilers have a possibility of adding some top signings in the mid-season transfer window to help them in the post season.

Namuwongo Blazers

The Namuwongo Blazers have acquired top talent from different teams in the NBL and there is an increasing belief that this could be their year.

They have more than one experienced person in a particular position and this depth helps teams down the stretch.

The Blazers squad is stacked and any of them could win you a game. They just have to find a way on how to work as a unit to deliver the championship.

Kampala Rockets

The Kampala Rockets had a wonderful second round in the 2024 season where they finished 7-4 and they did not stop there.

In the off-season, they made some significant signings like Mpiya Juf and Kevin Kasobya but most importantly, they retained Christian Ndibu and Puati Ozias Kikomba.

This is against which many teams will be out-rebounded and teams have to score efficiently if they are to get a result against them.

Offensively and defensively, they have size and will be causing a lot of damage in the paint.

JT Jaguars

The addition of Peter Sifuma greatly improved the JT Jaguars and he might help them crack top 4.

Sifuma adds a lot of size on offense and defense, and adding  George Agasi to the mix, they could cause problems.

Mid-table

UCU Canons

The UCU Canons have not looked like contenders for the last couple of years.

Despite having enormous talent, there are some teams that are above them and the Canons need to do a lot more t convince themselves and us that they want to win the championship.

The departure of Peter Sifuma leaves a big gap but Joel Kayiira has been coming on and we shall be finding out if he can dominate games and help the Canons grind out positive reults.

KCCA Panthers

The panthers finished in fourth (regular season) place last time around, but with only 12 players available for them, can they attain the same finish? I guess not.

The Panthers added Mugerwa Stanley, Joseph kavuma, Austine Odhiambo, Makutwa Sivachi, Ivan Lumanyika and Mumpaya Toussaint.

Half of the team is new players and can they start firing from the get go? All this shall be seen on the opening weekend of the NBL.

Victoria University

Victoria University lost their big man Joseph Kumbai who helped them tremendously in the second round of the 2024 FUBA Division One and the playoffs.

His gap is too huge to be filled but Chuol Nyuot will have his work cut out for him.

The squad that they have is not very convincing for a top four finish but they will be fighting to make it to the playoffs.

Rezlife Saints

The 2024 FUBA Division One Champions added Elvis Ssentongo, Kasinde Francis and Suka Fadhul to their roster but those three don’t elevate them to contention level.

Their biggest addition is the Coach Moses Okwera and given his vast experience, he will trying out different combinations to make sure his side can get a decent finish.

Reliance will be on the big men, Takpiny Apugi, Leornado Gilabi, Joshua Maiba and Akena Deo.

Lower tier

KIU Titans

With the change of top management, the KIU Titans went in a different direction and this season will be very bumpy for them.

Just one player from the season before remained on the roster and most of their players are rookies.

With their inexperience, they will be fighting to stay in the league as they get the necessary experience and chemistry with each other.

Livingstone

Livingstone was in the relegation drama in the 2024 season but managed to hang on and survive the sword.

Despite the return of their big man Diopa Durocher, it is very hard to say that they have elevated very high.

They will most likely still be fighting to stay in the league and once they have had a couple of years in the NBL, their ambitions will start to change.

They also lost their coach Eric Matovu and whoever takes over had a huge task ahead of them.

JKL Dolphins

The JKL Dolphins survived relegation in the 2024 by a whisker and for the 2025 season, they decided to go shopping.

They made multiple signings like Benon Wobusobozi, Harold Alinaitwe, Monybai, Kenneth Mesho, Philip Ameny and more.

They have made a statement that they don’t want to be in the relegation battles this time around but we are yet to see how this team shall come along.

As of now, they are in the lower tier but they have potential of being in the top 8 teams.

Sommet

Sommet is the team that was confirmed late and this alone caused some disorganization.

Some players had already left the team plus the coach and they had to put together something quickly.

They managed to make a couple of signing but most of them are not top players and almost the entire team lacks NBL experience.

However, they have the luxury of adding some players in the mid-season transfer window and who knows which player they can bring in.

As things stand, they look like the weakest side in the NBL but never forget that “looks can be deceiving”