Africa-Press – Rwanda. Experienced APR point guard Adonis Filer endured a difficult spell on the sidelines in 2024 since picking up a lengthy Achilles tendon injury during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) conference games in May 2024.
Filer’s injury eventually contributed to the army side’s elimination from the competition, failing to make it past the group stages.
The 31-year-old American-Rwandan had since been on the sidelines until January when he stepped on the court again for a competitive game and had a good game as his team beat AZOMCO 103-67 in the Rwanda Basketball League.
Asked how he coped with the lengthy injury which kept him out of action for eight months, Filer said he gives “credit to God” because he was able to focus more on his faith, listen to His guidance, and just take every day one step at a time.
“Also, my family was there for me every step of the way from the moment I landed (in the USA) to have my surgery all the way up until this day. They were very supportive and positive,” he noted.
Filer, who recently got engaged to his Rwandan fiancé Kathia Uwase, also lauded her for supporting him during the recovery as she talked to him every day.
“She was positive with me everyday. She helped me get through a lot of like, you know, down times that I would have if I had any. So, you know, really just God, my family and my fiancée and the fans.”
Once Filer was able to come back to Kigali for the remaining part of his rehabilitation, the fans were also supportive to him and he thanked them for giving him positive energy. On an important note, he says his team, APR, was with him all the way.
“APR as a whole, my teammates, the coaches, management, all the staff. They really helped me get through everything, as far as, you know, the surgery, when I came back to Kigali, and obviously even now, because I’m still with them,
“I can’t believe I forgot to mention them, but most definitely they were a major piece for me, for me getting through all that time on the sidelines and even up until now,” he said.
Fully fit again?
Asked about his level of fitness and if he thinks he is back to where he had been before the injury occurred, Filer said he feels great already but admitted that he still has some time to get back to top level.
“I’m not all the way back yet. I still have some areas that need improving. But as far as that foot that I had to have the surgery on…the Achilles is definitely stronger than what it was before,” he said.
“Like I said, I still have more improvement to go, but I feel great. I honestly feel great. I’m just still trying to improve more and more to this day,” he said.
Targets for this year
After his return, Filer is now focused on helping his team as much as possible to have yet another successful year.
“And I know if I’m healthy, I can definitely help to do that. But, you know, as for the team, I just want us to win. I just want us to be successful. Like I said, it’s nothing else but just for us to be successful,” Filer said.
Talking about the 2025 season of the RBL, Filer said he likes seeing players come to play in Rwanda and it makes it more competitive.
“I hate when we’re beating teams by 30 and 40 every game. I mean, it’s always fun to win, obviously, but the more players that can come into this league, the more competitive it can be,”
“Top teams are always top teams, but I like to see those middle of the pack teams or those bottom of the league teams make the games more competitive. So, really, just looking forward to hopefully a competitive season,” he noted.
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