Nairobi City Thunder coach Brads Ibs follows their match against MBB of South Africa during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 East Africa Division qualifiers on November 28, 2024 at Nyayo National Stadium.
When American Bradley Ibs arrived in Kenya 16 years ago to work at the Eastleigh Fellowship Centre, he had no long-term plans to stay.
The native of Monticello, Minnesota, had come with his wife Rachael and their one-year-old daughter Marna, initially seeing the move as a temporary assignment. But the allure of Kenya proved irresistible.
Nairobi City Thunder coach Bradley Ibs during an interview on November 26, 2024.
Today, Ibs is a celebrated figure in Kenyan basketball, having led Nairobi City Thunder to unprecedented success.
“I also had a strong heart for ministry to young people and felt sports was a good way to invest in the next generation,” recalls Ibs, who played baseball and basketball in university. “I wanted to give the young refugees something to hope for and enjoy doing.”
Ibs started his journey by coaching at the Eastleigh Fellowship Centre alongside Edson Mugisha. He later expanded his work to Rosslyn Academy, where he coached for 10 years, leading the teams to several championships, including a KAISSO championship and the ICSA championship in 2019.
Nairobi City Thunder's Ken Wachira (right) battles for the ball with teammates Uche Ireogbe and Garang Diing against Bravehearts' Faad Billy (centre) during the Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League 2025 Elite 16 East Africa Division qualifiers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Gymnasium on 1 December 1, 2024.
Along the way, he launched “Deep Coaching,” a mentorship program to develop leadership and coaching skills among young coaches in Nairobi neighbourhoods.
By 2022, Ibs felt he needed a break. “I just needed a break from coaching. I have been doing it continuously for 20 years,” he said. But his hiatus was short-lived. In July 2023, sports management company Twende Sports, which had taken over the Nairobi City Thunder basketball team, lured him back to the game.
Taking over City Thunder was a challenge. Ibs had to rebuild the team, inviting 50 players to trials and ultimately narrowing it down to 18. Only two players from the previous squad, Griffin Ligare and Dismas Mbaka, made the cut.
Nairobi City Thunder players and officials celebrate their semi-final win over City Oilers of Uganda during the Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League 2025 Elite 16 East Africa Division qualifiers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Gymnasium on December 2, 2024.
“The jigsaw was how to blend them, knowing that there would need to be sacrifice in order to reach our larger goal,” Ibs explained.
His strategy revolved around building a cohesive, egalitarian team. “We needed a clear path and a cohesive environment to achieve our goals. It meant some guys taking lesser roles than what they were accustomed to,” he noted.
The team’s offensive style emphasized sharing the ball and aggressive defence, with a focus on three-point shooting.
The results were historic. Under Ibs’ leadership, City Thunder remained unbeaten in the 2023/2024 KBF Premier League, sweeping both the regular season and the playoffs.
They triumphed over strong opponents like Ulinzi, Equity, and defending champions KPA. Reflecting on their key victory against KPA in Mombasa, Ibs said, “After the comprehensive victory against the Dockers, we realized that our level of excellence was high.”
City Thunder’s success didn’t stop there. In November 2024, they made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Nairobi City Thunder's Ken Wachira (right) dribbles the ball past Bravehearts' Christopher Karroll during the Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League 2025 Elite 16 East Africa Division qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Gymnasium on December 1, 2024.
They dominated the Elite 16 East Division tournament, defeating teams like City Oilers (Uganda) and Kriol Star (Cape Verde). “We were confident going into the tournament. We knew we had a highly talented squad and did a lot of work to prepare well,” Ibs said.
The team’s success was bolstered by strategic signings, including international players like Tylor Ongwae, Ater James Majok, and Eugene Adera. “It brought in the financial muscle to enable them to sign high-calibre players and give them good contracts,” Ibs acknowledged, crediting sponsors such as Winko Solar, M-KOPA, and Turaco.
For Ibs, the achievement was about more than just winning. “We want to continue elevating the game of basketball in the Premier League and in the country. We hope that our success propels others to new heights of success as well, like a rising tide lifting all boats,” he said.
Despite his accomplishments, Ibs remains grounded and focused on the future. He emphasized the need for better facilities and sponsorships to grow Kenyan basketball. “Nyayo Stadium Indoor Arena provides a beautiful basketball experience, but it should have been renovated to be more fan- and family-friendly,” he pointed out.
Nairobi City Thunder's Harouna Amadou dribbles past Uganda's City Oilers' Parrish Petty during the Africa Champions Clubs Road to Basketball Africa League 2025 Elite 16 East Africa Division qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Gymnasium on December 2, 2024.
Looking ahead, Ibs is preparing for the 2025 BAL, which will feature 12 teams across three conferences. “It communicates the level of seriousness and intentionality for competition that we have,” he said, adding that scouting and preparation will be key to their performance.
Kenya has become home for Ibs and his family. “At one point, I asked our children if they wanted to move to the US when they finished university, but they declined, saying they would rather stay in Kenya,” he shared. The warm Kenyan weather and the deep relationships they’ve built have solidified their bond with the country.
As City Thunder gears up for their next challenges, Ibs reflects on his journey. “We felt affirmed in our style of play. Our defence and physicality added complexity to our game. We played an exciting brand of basketball that people loved to come watch,” he said, grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the sport he loves and the community he now calls home.
