APR point guard Adonis Filer says he "didn't appreciate his time with Patriots" because his game wasn't where it was supposed to be, which saw him being released from the 2020 league champions.

"I'm not really a person to point the blame at an organisation or anyone. Me and Patriots, it just didn't work out, and we went our separate ways," Filer told B&B Kigali in an exclusive interview.

Born in Chicago in July 1993, Filer decided to ply his trade in Africa, Rwanda to be specific, for the very first time in 2020, signing with Patriots Basketball Club.

However, things didn't go as planned when COVID-19 broke out as it didn't do him any favour same like many others.

"I came here in February of 2020, and I didn't play basketball until October. So, I can understand why my game wasn't where it was supposed to be."

Filer, who has featured for Rwanda's national team, mentioned that he faced loads of sticks from people in the league who believed his level was far from deserving to play in Rwandan basketball.

"I had a lot of doubters, a lot of people that didn't think I deserved the citizenship to play for the national team and didn't think I deserved to play back in Rwanda Basketball League."

Filer, however, emphasized that the criticism didn't demoralise him, but rather motivated him to keep going, "the negative words, kind of, fuel me a little more, and I hear them all the time."

He added: "Patriots released me, that is why I play with a little bit more energy when I play against them."

The point guard later joined REG in 2021 and had two great seasons with them, leading the Rwanda Energy Group-owned side to two league titles. He described his time with REG as "a turning point" in his career.

"If you see me ever greet anyone that I know from REG, I always greet them with a lot of love because that was a turning point in my career as far as me being able to win back-to-back championships and going to the BAL."

Filer has been sidelined since picking up an injury during the BAL fourth edition in May 2024. However, he is expected to return to the court in February.

"The injury is healing well thank God. I have been practising, but I'm still holding off from games for now until me and my coach we both feel comfortable about me playing in the games again. I feel blessed."