Kenya are now ranked second in Africa behind leaders Egypt following their exploits in the FIBA 3x3 U-23 World Cup that ended in Lublin, Poland over the weekend.

Team manager, Angela Luchivya the move was a result of the hard work that both the players and the federation have put in place.

 “It has been all hard work. We are up there because we have played more matches that have seen us accumulate the points that have helped push our rankings,” offered Luchivya upon the teams’ arrival back to the country yesterday afternoon.  She added, “In 3x3, the more matches you play the more points you get."

She added: “The teams are getting important lessons from these outings because they help in developing their skills. These will make them better players even if they move to five on five.”

Luchivya, who captained the national women's side to the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria, said Kenya went to the championships seeded 19th globally.

Kenyans finished fourth in both the men’s and women’s categories. They both recorded a win each with the men getting a walkover against Tunisia while the women made history by beating Austria 21-09.

 “Our teams have improved tremendously with everyone including FIBA commending the efforts we’ve made in the 3x3 journey,” observed Luchivya.

The USA won the men's gold, Israel bagged silver while Germany took the bronze. The Netherlands were top in the women's cadre, host Poland finished second while Lithuania were placed third in the five-day show.

 The next round of tournaments is the Africa Cup which is slated for Cairo, Egypt in December. The senior teams are already training daily under coached Evelyne Kedogo.