The Hot Seat: Ken Mugane

NAME: Ken Mugane

TEAM: Straycats

DATE OF BIRTH: 8/13/1979

POSITION: SG/PG

HEIGHT: 5’9

NATION: Kenya

1. Who is your favorite basketball player? Why?

I’m an old man soon turning 43, so His Airness. Easy. Kobe comes a close 2nd. More recent players….Klay. On the Kenyan scene, I love Khaemba’s poise (I wish he’d shoot/attack the basket more though). I also like Eugene Adera’s game. I’m all for newer guys taking over the NT.

2. What jersey do you wear and is there a particular significance to it?

I’m not really bothered about that.

3. Do you have any rituals that you must perform before/after a game? What is it?

Music…..roots or old school hip hop does it for me

4. What is the most exciting game you’ve ever played in any season of KSBC/WKSBC? What happened?

I rarely play coz I’m mainly coaching……but I loved the 2021 all-star game between Straycats wazee and KSBC wazee. Of course we taught them a lesson.

5. What aspect of your game comes easiest for you?

Weirdly enough, offensive rebounding. I know I’m a guard and rather short but I learnt a long time ago that guards who crash the boards will more often than not get boxed out.

6. How do you stay motivated after losing/winning a game?

Always move on quickly to the next. Never dwell either on victories or losses.

7. What was your lowest moment while playing basketball?

High school Nationals semis 1996. Everyone who was in Kakamega knows we were robbed by the refs against 22yr old Aquinas guys! I still get shivers to date. This might explain why I give KSBC refs such a hard time whenever my team gets bad calls!

8. If you could play 1v1 with any player in this league, who would it be? Why?

Ref Solo. Mainly because I want to elbow him muhahahahaha (evil laughter)

9. What, according to you, should be done to motivate the youth and change the narrative of this sport in your country?

1st, stop having octogenarians playing for the NT. How will young guys get motivated if they know they will not get the chance to reach the summit of Kenyan basketball?

10. Who do you think will take the championship in this season’s KSBC & WKSBC league? Why?

I honestly think we (Straycats) have a legit chance to go one better than last season. I admit I haven’t followed the WKSBC league…I’ll do better.

11. Tell us a little something about yourself that not many people know [BONUS]

I’m an electrical engineer, I worked in a bank for 11 years and I’m an insect farmer.