The KBF Premier League, also known as the KBF National Basketball Classic League, is the premier basketball league for clubs in Kenya. The league currently consist out of twelve teams. The most successful team in the history of the league is KPA with nine national championships.

KBF Premier League
Organising bodyKenyan Basketball Federation
Founded1987
First season1987
CountryKenya
Number of teams12
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toKBF Division 1
International cup(s)Basketball Africa League (BAL)
Current championsNairobi City Thunder (1st title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsKPA
(9 titles)
2023–24 KBF Premier League

The champions of the KBF Premier League are eligible to play in the qualifying rounds of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

The league was established in 1987 and has been won by seven different clubs since then.[1]

Current teams

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The following were the twelve teams for the 2019 season:[2]

List of champions

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  • 1987: KPA
  • 1988: Barclays Eagles
  • 1989: Posta
  • 1990: KPA
  • 1991: KPA
  • 1992: Posta
  • 1993: Posta
  • 1994: Co-op Bank
  • 1995: Co-op Bank
  • 1996: Co-op Bank
  • 1997: Co-op Bank
  • 1999: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2000: NSSF Stars
  • 2001: KCB Lions
  • 2002: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2003: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2004: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2005: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2006: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2007: KCB Lions
  • 2008: KCB Lions
  • 2009: KCB Lions
  • 2010: Co-op Bank
  • 2011: Co-op Bank
  • 2012: Co-op Bank
  • 2014: KPA
  • 2015: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2016: KPA
  • 2017: KPA
  • 2018: KPA
  • 2019: Ulinzi Warriors
  • 2022: KPA
  • 2023: KPA
  • 2024: Nairobi City Thunder

Performance by club

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Club Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
KPA 9 2 1987, 1990, 1991, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 2009, 2024
Ulinzi Warriors 8 3 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2019 2014, 2018, 2022
Co-op Bank 7 1 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2010, 2011, 2012 2016
KCB Lions 4 2 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 2010, 2011
Posta 3
1989, 1992, 1993
Nairobi City Thunder 1 1 2024 2019
Barclays Eagles 1
1988
NSSF Stars 1
2000
USIU Tigers
2
2012, 2015
Blades
1
2017
Equity Dumas
1
2023

Finals (2009–present)

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Season Champions Runners-up Finals score Ref.
2009 KCB Lions (4) KPA
2–0
2010 Co-op Bank (4) KCB Lions
2011 Co-op Bank (5) KCB Lions
2012 Co-op Bank (6) USIU Tigers
3–0
2014 KPA (4) Ulinzi Warriors
3–1
2015 Ulinzi Warriors (7) USIU Tigers
3–0
2016 KPA (5) Co-op Bank
3–1
2017 KPA (6) Blades
3–0
2018 KPA (7) Ulinzi Warriors
3–0
2019 Ulinzi Warriors (8) Nairobi City Thunder
3–1
2021–22 KPA (8) Ulinzi Warriors
3–2
[3]
2023 KPA (9) Equity Dumas
3–1
[4]
2023–24 Nairobi City Thunder KPA
3–0
[5]


Individual awards

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Most Valuable Player

  • 2021–22: Kennedy Wachira (KPA)[3]
  • 2022-23: Eugene Adera (KPA)[3]
  • 2023–24: Albert Odero (Nairobi City Thunder)[6]

Playoffs MVP

  • 2023–24: Griffin Ligare (Nairobi City Thunder)[7]

References

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  1. ^ "History at fore when KPA take on Coop bank". www.michezoafrika.com. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Kenyan Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - afrobasket". Eurobasket LLC. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Onyango, Washington (26 April 2022). "KPA dock Ulinzi to be crowned KBF Premier League champions". The Standard. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  4. ^ Onyango, Washington. "KPA edge Equity Dumas to win KBF men's Premier League". The Standard. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (20 July 2024). "INVINCIBLES! – Stylish Thunder strike down KPA to clinch first ever league title". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  6. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (20 July 2024). "INVINCIBLES! – Stylish Thunder strike down KPA to clinch first ever league title". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  7. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (20 July 2024). "INVINCIBLES! – Stylish Thunder strike down KPA to clinch first ever league title". Capital Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
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