The investment reads less like traditional sports sponsorship and more like a community-banking play. The trend is telling: financial-services and tech brands are increasingly treating Thunder as a marketing channel to young and urban audiences.

East African forex and investment platform backs BAL history-makers as it expands regional footprint. The partnership was formally unveiled at a launch event, with FXPesa citing the Thunder's BAL pedigree and unbeaten domestic record.

The New York Knicks have already punched their ticket to the finals. They'll face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, with that series still ongoing. Should it go the distance, the Finals will run through to 19 June.

Diop will work directly under Herbert Mensah - President of Rugby Africa, Executive Board Member of World Rugby, and Chairman of World Rugby Regions, the body that unites the presidents of all six continental rugby associations.

Qatar Foundation will also serve as Presenting Partner of the BAL's Ubuntu Trophy. The foundation's logo will also appear on the back of all BAL game uniforms.

The partnership aimed at accelerating basketball development across both countries and deepening Arab sporting ties.

FLEXX, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Abidjan, will produce lifestyle merchandise and exclusive team ranges comprising more than 20 designs.

PUMA will supply all official on-court and off-court apparel across the league. This includes team uniforms, warm-up and training gear, referee kits, fan merchandise, and apparel tied to BAL's social impact and player development programs.

The program, called Dribble for Peace, forms part of the broader Built Within project launched in 2021 by Giants of Africa. The initiative aims to build 100 community basketball courts across the continent, with 45 courts already completed across 13 countries.

APR's exit stems from its direct affiliation with Rwanda's military, which was recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury over alleged involvement in regional conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also serving as Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, has met with NBA Africa CEO Claire Akamanzi to explore expanding and professionalizing basketball in the country.

The partnership comes as Thunder enter the season as two-time unbeaten Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) champions and prepare to represent Kenya in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the second time. The Send App branding will feature across matchday activations and digital platforms.

Silverbacks already holds a significant minority stake in the Cape Town Tigers, a team that has competed for three seasons in the Basketball Africa League.

The league launched the program last year to support the continents technology advancement and ecosystem and the next African entrepreneurs. The program is open to early-stage African startup companies that develop solutions in the sport and creative industries.

The league is looking to evolve into a 12-team league with permanent franchises in the coming years, these teams will own their own arenas and have permanent homes across the continent.