As the NBL season approaches, we take a look at some of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of teams.

Which areas are set? Which areas can they improve in?

JKL Lady Dolphins

Experience and pedigree

The JKL Lady Dolphins players have played together for a long time, and they have a lot of experience.

Secondly, they have won multiple championships and are still the favorites to go for their third in a row.

This is the biggest strength that the Lady Dolphins have. Even on a bad day, they can grind out a result because of the individual brilliance and experience that they possess.

Lack of a bench

The starting five for the Lady Dolphins is heavily stacked but the bench is lacking.

The Lady Dolphins got the services of Zainah Lokwameri who has played for a long time and can be the leader of the second unit.

However, you are not guaranteed that the second unit will perform at the same standards as the first.

JKL has no replacement for the 2023 and 2024 Hope Akello and if she’s taken out, they could be just like any other team in the NBL.

JT Lady Jaguars

Defense

Coach Sudi Ulanga is building something good at JT Lady Jaguars and it’s pleasing to note that he started with defense.

The Lady Jaguars were the best defensive team in the 2024 season and even against the top scoring sides, they limited them to numbers way below their average.

If you have the assurance that your home is protected, then you can go and explore on offense and that is what the Lady Jaguars are looking on build on.

Efficiency in scoring

Contrary to their excellent defense, the Lady Jaguars struggled to put the ball in the basket.

They were the worst offensive team in the top 5 teams and that is why they got the services of Shakirah Nanvubya, a person that can tremendously improve their offense.

The Lady Jaguars have to find solutions to their offensive struggles  but the biggest solution they need is increased scoring efficiency which is mainly down to the players.

KCCA Leopards

Lack of Pressure

In the 2024 season, the KCCA Leopards were looked at as the team that would push the JKL Lady Dolphins to the end, but they crumbled in the second round.

This time around, they do not have a lot of pressure and perhaps it’s a good thing for them.

They can progressively grow into the season and who knows, by the time the playoffs come around, they would have grown as a team and are ready to challenge.

Are they a better team?

The Leopards made multiple changes but the question is, are they a better team?

If people don’t think you’re good enough, there must be a reason why they say so.

Most of their players have never won a championship and this lack of championship experience could come back to bite them.

KIU Rangers

Lack of Pressure

Just like the KCCA Leopards, the KIU Rangers come into the season with less pressure than they did in the previous 2 seasons.

Since they are not looked at as top contenders, this gives them a chance to grow into the season.

They added one transfer (Leticia Awor) and given they barely made any changes, the team already had chemistry and they just need to find a winning formula that can help them in the post season.

One signing is not enough

Making just one signing is not enough for a team that had a lot of areas to improve in.

The 4 and 5 positions are key areas and if you try to compare with other top 5 teams, the Rangers don’t rank well at those positions.

UCU Lady Canons

Enormous talent

The UCU Lady Canons always have a lot of talent on their team and with the additions of Sarah Namale and  Zoe Atek, they are set, not for just now but the future also.

Every passing year, someone elevates their game and this time around, we are waiting to see which Lady Canon will make a name for herself.

Uncertainty

For the last 2-3 years, Shakirah Nanvubya has been their starting point guard and with her departure, there is a change of guard (in terms of leadership)

The most likely person to take up her position is Shillah Lamunu Aber, and there are questions about her ability to lead the team to a championship this year.

Why the championship? It is because that is the standard that UCU Lady Canons have set for themselves and each year, they are contenders.

Miracle Ravens

Youthfulness

Most of the players that the Miracle Ravens have are in their early 20s and still have a lot of youthful energy.

This is an element that they can ride on because they still have the energy to play multiple games, play aggressively, and play for pride.

Reduced rim protection

Miracle lost their best rim protector, Lilian Cherotich and that is a huge gap to fill.

Her presence in the paint was very key and not having that kind of defensive cover will affect them a lot.

Magic Stormers

Togetherness

The Magic Stormers team barely made any changes from the 2024 squad.

They already have their chemistry and building on that is what is next for them.

Where do they lie?

The Stormers have been in the middle of the pack for a long time. Knowing whether they have enough to challenge for a title is a thing they have to address.

Can they attract the right/enough talent to propel them to contention?

UPDF Lady Tomahawks

Motivated

The UPDF Lady Tomahawks are a motivated side and they believe they can perform better than they did last year.

Unhappy locker room

A lot of the Lady Tomahawks players have been grumbling about the lack of playing time.

One thing we know is that “winning cures everything”.

If the coaches can figure out the best team that can make them win, then the rocker room shall be happy but as things stand, everyone wants to play.

Nabisunsa

Availability of talent

Nabisunsa, just like UCU, always has players available and they just have to make the right picks and rotations in order to maximize what they have.

Growing into the season

For many teams, growing into the season is the goal because as the post season approaches, you want to be on your A game.

However, for a team like Nabisunsa which knows that the second round could have a lot of pressure pertaining relegation survival, you need to hit the ground running as soon as possible.

Getting a couple of wins early on is the goal and it is not an easy thing to do more so when you have some players who do not have experience in the league.

A1 Challenge

Resolute

Oftentimes when a team is facing adversity, that is when they most likely come together as a unit, play and fight for each other to get the job done.

That is the current situation for A1 Challenge and knowing their team’s  struggles, they have to come together and all be on the same frequency and wavelength in order to weather the storm.

Shortage of Players

Word has it that the A1 Challenge might feature 7 players in the first round.

Even if the numbers increased slightly, the players are still few, and one wonders if they can challenge with their lack of depth.

A1 ‘CHALLENGES’

Nkumba Lady Marines

Availability of Privas

The biggest strength for the Nkumba Lady Marines is the fact that they still have Privas Kayeny on their roster.

Privas impacts the game on both ends of the floor and her short absence in the finals showed us how much they rely on her.

Her being on the roster means she will single-handedly win the Nkumba Lady Marines some games because of her rebounding, scoring, and blocking abilities.

Lack of top replacements

There is no replacement for Privas and in any games where she is not available,  Nkumba Lady Marines are not the favorites.

They need to find someone or people who can give you just half of what Privas gives.

Angels

No pressure

Angels was the last team to be confirmed for the 2025 NBL and given how they joined, there’s not a lot of pressure on them.

They know that they aren’t challenging for the title, and surviving in the league should be their main objective.

When you have this in mind, you prepare for some specific games because you know that you can easily pick up a positive result in those compared to other games.

Shortage of Upgrades

Having beem confirmed late, there was hardly any time for Angels to bring in some top signings.

They faced a lot of troubles in the playoffs when it came to ball handling and getting a solid ball handler is something they needed.

They added Caroline Nakato from UCU and Eunice Nabukonde from Our Savior. However, the 2 barely played in 2024 and they may not get off immediately.

The players need to elevate themselves  a lot in order to be effective in the league.