The 2023 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season witnessed the JKL Dolphins’ remarkable championship victory over KIU Rangers. The Dolphins claimed a 4-1 Finals series win over the Rangers who’d drawn first blood by winning game one of the finals series. Whereas the first four games of the series were epically close, The Dolphins won game five in a 68-50 blowout. The JKL had completed a 31 games season with only 2 losses. The Dolphins were in revenge season, notably because the UCU Lady Canons snatched the Championship from under their nose last season, after they’d lead the finals series 3-1.
One cannot talk about the Dolphins success this season without talking about Hope Akello. The Dolphins’ Forward has had such a monstrous season averaging 12.5 Points per game, 12.3 Rebounds per game and 3.5 Steals per game! Notably, Akello was boasting of a 46.3% success rate in 2-point field goals. Her free throw percentage was an impressive 68%. There’s no doubt Akello is the best female player in Uganda at the moment and the league found her deserving of the WNBL Most Valuable Player award, her second MVP award having won her first in 2019. To cap it all up, Akello also claimed the Best Rebounder award, The Best Defensive Player Award, and was an intuitive member on the Best five Team of the WNBL season 2023.
Hope Akello’s basketball journey exemplifies her unwavering passion, relentless dedication, and indomitable spirit. Hers is a continually rising star that began by representing Uganda on the U-18 girls team in various youth tournaments to playing on the Uganda Woman National basketball team – The Gazelles where she’s now a regular feature. Only this year, Akello and the Gazelles made history when they helped Uganda reach the quarter finals of the Women AfroBasket.
It’s always fascinating what Akello can pull out of her bag. She’s one of those players you can tell work on their game constantly. You can always bet you’ll see a better version of her the next season.
Akello and JKL Lady Dolphins will this week head to Rwanda to compete in the Women’s Road to BAL tournament that starts 28th of October 2023.
By Editorial, Basketball256
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