The rise and rise of 6ft 8in Nairobi City Thunder power forward Bramwel Muchina

Standing at 6 ft 8 in, Bramwel Muchina is hard to miss on the basketball court.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Nairobi City Thunder power forward has the height, energy, and hunger to succeed. But his ambitions stretch beyond trophies and titles; he wants to use his journey to inspire others and help grow basketball in Kenya.“I just hope that within this life I can give back to the community and help grow basketball, knowledge, decolonisation, and so on,” he says.Muchina was not one of those children who grew up dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player. He only took up the sport in his second year of high school, after his coach encouraged him to try it because of his height.Sabastian Sawe among sporting icons honoured during Mashujaa DayHis story began as a tall schoolboy at St Peter’s Mumias.“I did not start playing basketball until high school. My coach encouraged me because I was tall,” he recalls.That decision opened a path from school basketball to professional stints in Tanzania, a formative spell at Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and, eventually, Nairobi City Thunder.The making of DebangooMuchina’s nickname ‘Debangoo’ dates back to his first year at St Peter’s Mumias. It was inspired by Manu Debango, a tall Rwandan, and his peers gave him the name because he was tall.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046910##“There was a guy called Manu Debango from Rwanda, and he was very tall. Since I was also a tall freshman, I just inherited the name,” he explains.His coach and friend King Mswati introduced him to basketball, but turning that opportunity into a career required sacrifice.“I spent most of my time at the court, and that is what made me get to where I am,” he says.The journey has not always been easy. Muchina admits that he has considered quitting several times, but taking breaks and reconnecting with his love for the game has helped him push on.Reynolds, Doumbia pace KPA's victory over Dynamo in WBLA qualifiers“I guess when I felt like I wanted to give up, I took a break and remembered my love for the game. I love playing basketball, and I am just one of the fortunate ones to get paid playing the game,” he says.There is a practical honesty to that admission. Basketball is not merely a profession through which Muchina has found recognition; it is also the means through which he hopes to build his life.“I do not have a lot of things I could do that could help build my life the way basketball does,” he says.Tanzania: The first professional stepMuchina’s stint in Tanzania marked his transition from aspiring player to professional. It exposed him to the demands of the game and helped him build confidence, while also opening the door to his first call-up to the Kenya Morans.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046940##His international debut came at the 2023 FIBA AfroCan Championships in Luanda, Angola; a milestone he had dreamed of since high school.“It was a proud moment because it was something I wanted to do ever since I was in high school. I felt like that was one of the goals of playing basketball, and I achieved it,” he says.Representing Kenya broadened his understanding of the game and gave him valuable experience at a higher level.Move to Kenya Ports AuthorityAfter returning from Tanzania, Muchina joined KPA following an invitation from coach Cliff Owuor. The club was among the country’s leading teams, offering him a competitive environment and the chance to play alongside teammates he already knew.Ugandan duo triumphs in Nanyuki as LOOP Safari Gravel Series concludesHis time in Mombasa taught him the importance of teamwork and resilience, particularly when facing Nairobi City Thunder, who had established themselves as a force in Kenyan basketball.“I understood the value of teamwork and sticking together through the hard times,” he says.One of his standout memories was KPA’s semifinal victory over Ulinzi Warriors. Although injured and unable to play, Muchina watched his teammates overcome fatigue and injuries to reach the final.“Many guys were injured, others were tired, but my boys pulled through. That was the highlight of the season,” he recalls.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046911##It was the first time he had been part of a team that reached a final, making the achievement special despite his absence from the court.Choosing a bigger challengeLeaving KPA was difficult. Muchina had built friendships and enjoyed life in Mombasa, but he believed Nairobi City Thunder would push him further.“The competition at NCT was a little bit higher, and I needed a platform where my skill set and knowledge could really be challenged,” he explains.The move was made easier by his friendship with players from the national team. He also found a club with a more structured and professional environment.Kenya Pipeline raid KCB Volleyball for four stars ahead of new season“The way they run their stuff is very organised, their management is organised, and it is very professional,” he says.At Thunder, he joined a team with high expectations and a clear ambition to maintain its domestic dominance while competing against Africa’s best.Winning with ThunderMuchina credits Thunder’s success to discipline, consistent training and understanding the team’s system.“If you understand the structure, the strengths and how to go about it, you have the highest chance to win,” he says.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046898##That approach was tested in the 2026 Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League finals against his former club, KPA. For Muchina, the priority was helping Thunder win and secure qualification for the Elite 16.“Those are my boys, no matter what. But on the floor, it is a competition, and may the best man win,” he says.Thunder swept KPA 3-0 to claim their third consecutive league title. One moment that stayed with Muchina was Eugene Adera’s late three-pointer in a game that appeared to be slipping away.With Thunder trailing by three and about six seconds left, Muchina feared defeat.Madina Okot’s WNBA title hopes hit early setback as Atlanta Dream lose Game 1“I was thinking we were going to lose it. But Eugene Adera pulled the miracle, and we won that game,” he recalls.Winning twice away from home gave Thunder the confidence to finish the series, with the familiar court and home support providing an added advantage.The BAL: A lesson in the detailsThunder’s participation in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has provided a tougher test. In their second campaign in 2026, they finished the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria with two wins and three defeats, missing out on the playoffs.They lost narrowly to Tanzania’s Dar City, beat Johannesburg Giants, then suffered defeats to Petro de Luanda and Al Ahly Ly before ending the campaign with a 101–92 win over Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers. Their two victories improved on their debut season, when they won once in six games.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046908##For Muchina, the experience highlighted the fine margins at continental level.“The level of technicality is really high, and teams punish mistakes. You have to be really good. No mistakes; every possession matters,” he says.The competition also forced him to assess his own game. He realised that being reasonably good at several skills was not enough. He needed to master the areas where the team needed him most.“The team needs me to be great at one thing so that I can help them achieve what they want,” he explains.Bronny on thin ice: Can't do it without daddy LeBronHe has since focused on improving his post moves, floaters, screening, and rebounding.While he acknowledges that athleticism can come naturally to some extent, he insists that physical gifts alone are not enough.“Even athleticism, you have to work for it. All these other things are a matter of working hard on your craft,” he says.Beyond the hardwoodAway from basketball, Muchina is a history enthusiast with a keen interest in African culture. His family and friends remain his anchor amid the demands of professional sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_10046924##“I like learning about African culture, and what keeps me grounded is my family and my friends. Those are the guys that bring joy to my life,” he says.He also hopes to play professionally outside Kenya, potentially beyond Africa. For him, the opportunity would mean more than personal progress; it would allow him to represent his roots and inspire young players.“If I can achieve that, I will have encouraged a kid to keep working on their craft and get better,” he says.A dream bigger than basketballMuchina’s biggest ambition is to help the Kenya Morans reach the Olympic Games, a milestone he believes would transform the profile of Kenyan basketball.Malkia Strikers star completes move to Turkish club“If we could get there, I feel like it would be the best thing we would have done for Kenyan basketball,” he says.Beyond that dream, he wants to give back to his community, expand opportunities for young players, and contribute to the growth of the sport.