Future bright for Atiki as NBA beckons him

TANZANIA basketball prosperity Atiki Ali Atiki has about a year left before he defines his position at the world’s top professional basketball league, NBA.

Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Vice president Rwehabura Munyagi has hailed Atiki for his progress in America, but he said is now reaching an important period in his career.

He said Atiki continues to fly the Tanzanian flag high in America in his second year at Brigham Young University (BYU) which is a first-grade college in NCAA, playing in one of the biggest leagues in American universities.

It’s also a great bridge for players to play basketball for a paycheck to the NBA.

“He has this year and next year before knowing his chance at the professional league, though is doing well so far.

“Atiki has needs strength, size and speed, but he also needs to be physically fit to be ready for the top league,” he said.

Munyagi stressed the good thing is that Atiki had good speed and coaches help him on how to run, “because in this sport one has to be put enough knowledge on running technics to avoid injuries or hut bones in the process.”

“In his second year at BYU, what we are looking for is to have more playing time, however, had a slight ankle injury setback recently, but he continues recovering and doing fine,” he said.

The Vice President noted that the boy continues to represent a well country and has much respect for his country.

Atiki himself, recently posted a message on his Instagram account saying: “Get better every day. Never dream of success, work for it.”

He also expresses his desire to grow up in his sports career and academically after joining Brigham Young University (BYU) two years ago.

“Tanzania is beautiful with lots of nature stuff and is a safe country too.  I like my country, I’ve born and grew up there,” once was quoted as saying.

Atiki is a centre who stands at 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan.

He secured a scholarship to study and pursue a career in basketball after impressing during a scouting training held in Dar es Salaam in August 2017. Juco Advocate scouts came for a sports tour after being invited by the then national team coach American Matthew McAllister with Munyagi also playing a big part.