This is all personal and precision analysis, but that’s what the preseason is for, right?
By Johnson Akilis | Nov 22, 2024, 1:00 PM EAT
As the 2024-25 NBL season nears, it’s important to remember that both things can be true:

1. The Lady Jaguars are already an exceptional team, but there is immense potential for them to grow even stronger.

2. There are 10 other teams (okay, maybe around 3) eager to prove they’re a worthy challenge. Reaching the finals is certainly achievable, but it’s likely to be even more challenging than last year.

The team’s success has largely been driven by player development. Rhoda Nagitta, Sarah Ageno, Mai, and Mary Priscilla have come a long way since being drafted by the Jaguars. It has taken tremendous dedication and hard work to get them where they are today. Mercy Batamuliza and Brenda Kayaga are blossoming into the best versions of themselves.

As the team prepares to storm into the season, avoiding complacency is imperative. Continued individual growth in specific areas will go a long way. Keep in mind that every player on the roster excels in their role, and this is all nitpicking. That said, here’s one area of improvement for each Lady Jaguar this season:

Sandra Wangeshi: Be More Aggressive

Let’s start by saying Sandra has the best handles on the team. If nothing else, she’ll break your ankles faster than you can say “Hallelujah.” She has the potential to shoot, drive, and dribble, but one thing is for sure: she needs to bring more energy to her game.

“Sandra is skilled. It’s hard to find rhythm when you play sparingly, but she needs to be aggressive when she’s out there,” says a passionate fan. Reports from the den show she’s working on it.

“If you take a look at some of the players hungry to improve, Sandra is one of them. She’s different this season, and it’s evident in her workouts and execution during strength and conditioning. I just can’t wait to see her on the court,” says Coach Cuthbert. With continued S&C training, she’ll gain the energy needed to elevate her game.

Rhoda Nagitta: Free Throw Volume and Percentage

Rhoda is our LeBron James-type player—the one to rely on when the game needs direction. She has unmatched aggression and a strong sense of command as a point guard. That aggression sends her to the free-throw line 4.3 times per game, which isn’t bad, but considering her driving ability, it could be higher.

Rhoda is a career 72% free-throw shooter, but she elevated that number during the playoffs while carrying the team. With her competitive nature, improving her free throw volume and percentage should come naturally. Six attempts per game at 75% accuracy is achievable, with potential for even more.

Annet Among: Defend Without Fouling

Offensively, Annet is a cheat code when healthy—sometimes even when she’s not. Her smooth shot in the paint is reliable on good days (all we can hope for is more of those). However, her training zeal and consistency will determine her overall performance.

Defensively, she needs to improve her ability to defend without fouling. As one of the team’s key defensive players, her role is vital. Annet committed 2.7 fouls per game in just 15 minutes—a team-high despite limited minutes. Reducing fouls will make her an even greater asset.

Brenda Kayaga: Attack the Basket


Honestly, she’s pretty darn good at basketball, if not the best in the lady Jaguars. She lets the game come to her, takes good shots, guards taller players insanely well and makes her teammates better. 

There’s nothing to really tweak here, but one thought is that Brenda could attack the basket even more. Just 31.3 percent of her points came in from the paint. She’s an excellent driver, and adding a steady stream of drives to her arsenal could take her game even further. 

Maimuna Mambo: Take More 3-Point Shots

Again, really, really good at basketball and a perfect fit. This is just a fun exercise. Personally, Mai is the best 3-point shooter in the team. But that’s if she decides because she just has that shot that constantly punishes opponents. 

But, it’s safe to say it would benefit her to take more shots. The Lady Jaguars obviously don’t need her to take 20 shots a game, but there’s no reason that number can’t be around 13 to 15.

Mai tends to perk up offensively when the team really needs her, which is a glorious trait. No one would fault her if she perks up offensively even when they don’t. Take some shots, Mai. Let loose a little and be confident to know that we trust you with the shot whether or not in gets into the basket. 

Lynette: Do Enough to Crack the Rotation

Lynnette is a super intriguing young player. She is the youngest in the team but that doesn’t mean she can’t play. Lynnette needs to use this chance that its a new season and that most probably some players may not be in the team to earn a spot in the rotation.

 Earn your place so that Sudi Ulanga has no choice but to play you even when we may get new signings. 

Other Players

• Sarah Ageno: Be the captain and remind everyone who you are.

• Mary Priscilla: Take more care of the basketball.

• Tushe: Focus on doing the little things well.

• Mercy Batamuliza: Expand her offensive game to complement her defensive prowess.