Rivers Hoopers star, Akec: There is more to come from The King’s Men!
Rivers Hoopers star, Madut Akec believes there is more to come from The King’s Men after their brilliant defensive effort ensured they defeated Stade Malien 81-60 to start the 2025 Basketball Africa League the way they ended last season: with a statement win.
AKEC, who featured for Senega’s AS Douanes last season, says there is a family spirit within the team as they get set to take on hosts FUS Rabat on Sunday.
“We came together as a team,’ he told the bal.nba.com website.
The South Sudan’s native dominated both ends of the floor for the Hoopers.
He shot 4-for-7 from behind the arc to finish with 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and completed his stellar performance with a game-high 3 block shots.
He says he is in Rabat o help the team to win.
“My mindset was really just to do whatever I could to help the team win.
“I feel like there’s more to come. I don’t want to compare any of my performances from last season to this season. I want to keep an open mind. I don’t want to focus on what I did in the past; I just want to try to get better and continue to help my team win.
“Last year it was a disappointing [semifinal] loss in the playoffs after being up 20 in the fourth and losing, this time I am more aware of trying to help my team stay together all the time and not let something like that happen.
“We have a good team and when we stick together and play together, we are really dangerous,’ Akec said.
Reigning Nigerian League MVP Kelvin Amayo led the way with a team-high 19 points, Raphael Putney added 14 points and Maxi Munanga chipped in 11 points off the bench.
