At the 2016 FIBA Africa Champions Cup held in Cairo Egypt, Mark Mentors` Stanley Gumut played for the Nigerian league champions Kano Pillars and this raised brows. The question many asked was "Is the Captain abandoning the ship too"?
The 2016 season of the DSTV Premier Basketball League was one that Mark Mentors will want forget quickly being the first time the club did not make it to the Final Four since they joined the league. The club lost some key players at the beginning of the season due to what was rumoured to be internal crisis. However, the 6`6" captain has reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
"Kano Pillars is a great club and it will be an honour to play for them. But I can`t play for teams at a time and my loyalty remains with Mark Mentors. Every team has its trial period and we had ours last season. I chose to stay because I believe in the dreams of Igoche Mark and I know I have a huge role to play in helping to fix it. We just have to mend the mistakes of last year and move on in the coming season"
As the captain, the rest of the team looks up to him to lead. However, with the quality of players in the Premier Basketball League, it is almost impossible for Stanley to carry the team on his shoulders alone. He needs support. At the beginning of the 2016 Season, the management of the club recruited 10 new players, retaining only four from the team that won the league in 2015. Most of the new recruits do not have prior league experience. They have to sign on experienced players for them to be title contenders again.
Regardless, Stanley enjoys playing for the Mentors. He calls it special.
"I enjoy playing for Mentors. The club is special because my boss happens to be my friend too"
Stanley Gumut also plays for the male national team, D`Tigers. He played up for the country during the FIBA Africa Championship (Afrobasket) in 2009, 2011 and 2013. He also played for Nigeria at the 2015 All Africa Games and the Four Nation Invitational Tournament in South Africa.
D`Tigers are the current African champions and will defend the title at the 2017 Afrobasket in Congo this Summer. Stanley says that if he gets the opportunity to represent the country, he will be ready.
"I am a professional athlete and I am always ready to play. I will focus on working hard to stay in shape and see how it goes"
We wish Stanley the best this season.
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