Welcome to the forum.
Sorry you're having difficulty finding a pup. There is an imbalance between people looking for a Basenji puppy and available puppies. Basenjis don't have large litters, there aren't a ton of breeders, and there is only one heat a year. As a consequence the supply is somewhat limited. Plus, as I'm sure you're aware, breeding takes a lot of time, effort, and money. It's a labor of love more than anything.
That said, I'd be quite confident that you'll be able to find a puppy. As I'm sure you know from experience, most conscientious breeders care where their pups land. In your case that's a good thing because there is a chance you'll have your dog compete, which most would find desirable.
As for not being sure what a win looks like, judging is subjective. A loser on day one can win breed and class on day two. (Not only with dogs. I was reading today about how SnapChat has "pretty filters" that always turn eyes blue). It's easier of where the competition is performance based.