Kenya's men's Under-23 3x3 basketball team suffered an early exit from the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China on Thursday, failing to progress from a tough Pool C that included Algeria, France, Poland and Australia.
Coach Tonny Ochieng's side lost their opener 19-18 to Algeria in a closely contested match decided in the closing moments, then fell 21-17 to Poland, leaving their qualification hopes all but over before taking on France and Australia.
The squad featured Joseph Blessing and Powell Hargos of UON Terror, Brian Musembi of KU Pirates, Jackson Waweru of USIU-A Tigers, Brian Eleman of KPA Dockers and David Baraka of Strathmore Blades. Waweru brought experience from the 2024 edition, while Eleman had continental exposure from Kenya's Africa 3x3 Youth Nations League campaigns. The team had booked their place in Wuhan by winning gold at the Africa East Conference Champions event during the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League in Mombasa in July 2026.
While the men headed home, Kenya's women's U23 team enjoyed a brighter start in Wuhan, opening their Pool D campaign with an 18-15 win over Slovenia before losing 21-12 to Australia.
