Fayed exercises free agency – joins City Oilers.

Bale Fayed, the highly skilled Uganda Silverbacks point guard, has decided to move to City Oilers, the biggest basketball franchise in Uganda, after completing a three-year scholarship with Uganda Christian University (UCU). Fayed, who is considered one of the most sought-after young talents in Uganda despite his 5’7″ stature, cited the team’s style of play as the main reason for his decision, noting that he had become accustomed to playing organized basketball during his time at UCU. He also mentioned that playing for a team that’s participating in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) was an added motivation for him.

To see a point guard who plays basketball the right way moving from one organised ball culture to another even better organised ball culture is a BIG, BIG move.

— Pɨuṩ Mṳhumuzå (@piusmwilson) January 13, 2023

Fayed acknowledged that playing for a team that has won the National Basketball League title a record eight times straight by all means comes with pressure. But he stated that he’s ready to take on the challenge and that winning lies within him. He’s looking forward to playing with good players and learning from the experienced players within the City Oilers ranks.

When asked about his goals going forward, Fayed said that he plans “to work hard and learn as much as he can in order to bring more championships to the organization.“

With Bale Fayed joining the City Oilers, the team has added a young and talented point guard to their roster. Fayed’s decision to join the Oilers is a yet another thorn in Oilers’ critics’ flesh who taunt their ability to attract top talent. Fayed himself, a rather likable demeanor of a point guard that paints memories of prime Ben Komakech will have many looking forward to seeing his contributions to the Oilers, both in the National Basketball League and in the Basketball Africa League.

He is going to reign supreme in those city oil colours. I can easily fore tell he is starting a good journey.

— Ssemyalo . W. Wycliff (@WycliffSsemyalo) January 13, 2023

Having already featured for Oilers in BAL, many saw the official signature of Fayed on Oilers as something that was only a matter of time. It’s been speculated that Oilers have been courting Fayed even before the scholarship in Mukono. In 2019, Fayed (in his rookie season in the NBL) and his UCU Canons were pitted in a dogged Finals Game Seven with the City Oilers.

The writing was on the wall for some time!
Would love to see the day when a Ugandan born and bred player gets signed to professional leagues in Asia Europe and NBA, Claire did her thing! Am I missing someone on the men’s side?

— Kelly Martin (@KshaneGodisLove) January 13, 2023

By Cucubrian | brian@basketball256.net | Twitter: @Cucubrian