TheBasketball Africa League(BAL) is the premier men'sbasketballleague inAfrica.[1]Founded in 2019, the league was established and is co-organized byNBA Africaand theInternational Basketball Federation(FIBA).[2]
 | |
| Organising body | NBA Africa FIBA |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 2019 |
| First season | 2021 |
| Country | FIBA Africamember countries |
| Confederation | FIBA Africa |
| Divisions | 3 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Current champions |  Petro de Luanda(1st title) (2024) |
| Most championships |  ZamalekAl Ahly US MonastirPetro de Luanda(1 title each) |
| All-time top scorer | Chris Crawford (341 points) |
| Commissioner | Amadou Gallo Fall |
| TV partners |
|
| Website | theBAL.com |
 2024 BAL season | |
Each season typically runs from March to June, and in the current format of the league consists of twelve teams. Each of the teams qualify through their performance in their domestic competition.[3]Seven teams qualify directly, while five others have to play in theRoad to BAL.The group stage is divided into three conferences, which are followed by playoffs to determine the champions. The BAL champions of each season automatically qualify for theFIBA Intercontinental Cup.
The first season was held in2021and thus far, four different champions have won the competition.
History
editOn 16 February 2019 theNational Basketball AssociationandFIBAannounced plans to establish acontinentalprofessional basketball league.[4]During a press conference at the2019 NBA All-Star weekend,NBA commissionerAdam Silverelaborated on plans to establish the league. He stated that the league will feature 12 teams after qualification tournaments in late 2019. The countries that could possibly host a team include;Angola,Egypt,Kenya,Morocco,Nigeria,Rwanda,Senegal,South AfricaandTunisia.[5][6]Silver also hinted at the involvement of formerU.S. presidentBarack Obamain an unspecified role.[2]In May 2019, Amadou Gallo Fall was assigned by the NBA as the first president of the BAL.[7]In September 2019, BAL announced the venues and cities for the inaugural season, which included a Final Four played inKigali ArenainKigali,Rwanda.[8]
On 15 October 2019, thequalifying tournamentsfor theinaugural seasonbegan, with teams from 32 African countries participating.[9]The start of the BAL was eventually postponed twice due to the disruptiveCOVID-19 pandemic.[10]The first BAL game was played on 16 May 2021, in theKigali Arenain Kigali, Rwanda, which hosted the entire tournament. The season was held in abio-secure bubblewith only limited attendance allowed. On 30 May,Zamalekfrom Egypt won the first-ever BAL championship after beatingUS Monastirin theinaugural final.[11]
The following season, the league expanded it format with five-team conferences (the Sahara and Nile Conference), which were held inDakarandCairo.The playoffs were held in Kigali.
The fourth league season, in2024,saw an expansion to three conference with theKalahari Conference,[12]as well asPetro de Luandabecoming the first team fromSub-Saharan Africato win the championship.[13]After the season,Ulrich Chomchefrom Cameroon became the first former BAL player to be drafted in theNational Basketball Association(NBA), as he was picked in the second round of the2024 NBA draft.[14]
Format
editEach BAL season consists of twelve teams. In the regular season, the twelve teams are divided into three conferences (theSahara Conference,Nile Conference,andKalahari Conference),[12]in which they each team plays the other in a round-robin format.
The two highest-placed teams of each conference, as well as the two best third-ranked teams, advance to the playoffs, which is a single-elimination tournament which decides the BAL champion.
Qualification
editSimilar to theBasketball Champions LeagueandfootballcompetitionCAF Champions League,the BAL has qualifying rounds to determine the teams that qualify for each season.National federationsfrom African countries are given the opportunity to send one representing club, usually the champions of the respective national league. In theRoad to BAL,teams play each other in groups for six remaining spots in the BAL regular season. In the first round, all participating teams are divided over groups, with the top teams advancing to the Elite 16. There, another group stage follows before single-game eliminations are played in the semi-finals and finals.
Six teams from six predetermined countries qualify directly for the regular season, without playing qualifiers, to make for a total of twelve teams. These countries have been determined based on basketball history and commercial market size, and have thus far been Angola, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco (only in 2021), Nigeria, Rwanda (since 2022) and Senegal.
Foreign players restrictions
editEach club participating in the BAL regular season is restricted to having four foreign players only, which means it has to have at least 8 local players on its roster. Furthermore, two out of four foreign players must be from another African country. A maximum of 2 out of the 4 foreign players can be from outside of Africa.[15]Since the 2024 season, clubs have been able to field more foreign players.
BAL Elevate program
editAhead of the2022 season,the BAL launched the BAL Elevate program in cooperation with theNBA Academy Africa.The program places a player from the academy in one of the team's rosters. Players from the same country as a BAL team are automatically assigned to a team, while remaining players are selected from a pool. Elevate players do not share in the prize money that is awarded from the competition, to preserve their amateur status.[16]
Teams
edit
Green: Nile Conference;
Yellow: Sahara Conference;
Red: Kalahari Conference.Over four BAL seasons, 24 teams from 19 countries have played in the BAL.
Current teams
editThe following are the twelve teams of the2024 BAL season.
| Conference | Team | City, Country | National league | National titles | Founded | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nile Conference |  Al Ahly Benghazi
|
Benghazi,Libya | Libyan Division I Basketball League | 3 | 1950 | 2024 |
 Bangui Sporting Club
|
Bangui,Central African Republic | Bangui Basketball League | 2 | 2017 | 2024 | |
 City Oilers
|
Kampala,Uganda | NBL Uganda | 9 | 2011 | 2023 | |
| Al Ahly
|
Cairo,Egypt | Egyptian Basketball Super League | 8 | 1930 | 2023 | |
| Sahara Conference |  APR
|
Kigali,Rwanda | Rwanda Basketball League | 14 | 1993 | 2024 |
| US Monastir
|
Monastir,Tunisia | Championnat National A | 9 | 1923 | 2021 | |
 AS Douanes
|
Dakar,Senegal | Nationale 1 | 11 | 1980 | 2021 | |
 Rivers Hoopers
|
Port Harcourt,Nigeria | Nigerian Premier League | 5 | 2005 | 2021 | |
| Kalahari Conference |  Cape Town Tigers
|
Cape Town,South Africa | South African National Championship | 3 | 2019 | 2022 |
| Petro de Luanda
|
Luanda,Angola | Angolan Basketball League | 16 | 1980 | 2021 | |
 Dynamo
|
Bujumbura,Burundi | Viva Basketball League | 3 | 1968 | 2024 | |
 FUS Rabat
|
Rabat,Morocco | Division Excellence | 18 | 1946 | 2024 |
Results
editList of finals
edit| Edition | Year | Hosts and venue | Champions | Score and Venue | Runners-up | Third place | Score and Venue | Fourth place | No. of teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021 | Kigali,Rwanda |  Zamalek |
76–63 Kigali Arena,Kigali |
 US Monastir |
 Petro de Luanda |
97–68 Kigali Arena,Kigali |
 Patriots |
12 |
| 2 | 2022 | US Monastir |
83–72 BK Arena,Kigali |
Petro de Luanda |
Zamalek |
97–74 BK Arena,Kigali |
 FAP | ||
| 3 | 2023 | Al Ahly |
80–65 BK Arena,Kigali |
 AS Douanes |
 Stade Malien |
73–65 BK Arena,Kigali |
Petro de Luanda | ||
| 4 | 2024 | Petro de Luanda |
107–94 BK Arena,Kigali |
 Al Ahly Ly |
 Rivers Hoopers |
80–57 BK Arena,Kigali |
 Cape Town Tigers |
Performance by club
edit| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Years won | Years runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Monastir
|
1 | 1 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Petro de Luanda
|
1 | 1 | 2024 | 2022 |
| Al Ahly
|
1 | 0 | 2023 | — |
| Zamalek
|
1 | 0 | 2021 | — |
| AS Douanes
|
0 | 1 | — | 2023 |
| Al Ahly Ly
|
0 | 1 | — | 2024 |
Performance by country
edit| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Years won | Years runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt
|
2 | 0 | 2021,2023 | — |
| Tunisia
|
1 | 1 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Angola
|
1 | 1 | 2024 | 2022 |
| Senegal
|
0 | 1 | — | 2023 |
| Libya
|
0 | 1 | — | 2024 |
Records and statistics
editSolo DiabateandMichael Fakuadehave won two BAL championships, and are the only players to have won multiple titles.[17]Chris Crawfordis the all-time scoring leader of the league, having scored 341 points in three seasons.[outdated statistic]
All-time participants
edit
The following is a list of clubs who have played in the Basketball Africa League at any time since its formation in 2020 to the current season. A total of 34 different teams have played in or qualified for the BAL.
| 1st | Champions | |||||
| 2nd | Runners-up | |||||
| 3rd | Third place | |||||
| 4th | Fourth place | |||||
| QF | Quarterfinalists | |||||
| GS | Group phase | |||||
| Q | Qualified for an upcoming season | |||||
| Team | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | Total seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MC Alger[a]
|
GS | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Petro de Luanda
|
3rd | 2nd | 4th | 1st | Q | 5 |
| Dynamo
|
— | — | — | GS[b] | — | 1 |
| Bangui SC
|
— | — | — | GS | — | 1 |
 ABC Fighters
|
— | — | QF | — | — | 1 |
 FAP
|
QF | 4th | — | — | — | 2 |
 Kriol Star
|
— | — | — | — | Q | 1 |
 Espoir Fukash
|
— | GS | — | — | — | 1 |
| Al Ahly
|
— | — | 1st | QF | — | 2 |
| Al Ittihad Alexandria
|
— | — | — | — | Q | 1 |
| Zamalek
|
1st | 3rd | — | — | — | 2 |
 SLAC
|
— | QF | GS | — | — | 2 |
 Nairobi City Thunder
|
— | — | — | — | Q | 1 |
| Al Ahly Ly
|
— | — | — | 2nd | — | 1 |
| Al Ahli Tripoli
|
— | — | — | — | Q | 1 |
 GNBC
|
GS | — | — | — | — | 1 |
 AS Police
|
GS | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Stade Malien
|
— | — | 3rd | — | Q | 2 |
| AS Salé
|
QF | QF | — | — | — | 2 |
| FUS Rabat
|
— | — | — | QF | Q | 1 |
 Ferroviário da Beira
|
— | GS | QF | — | — | 2 |
| Ferroviário de Maputo
|
QF | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Kwara Falcons
|
— | — | GS | — | — | 1 |
| Rivers Hoopers
|
GS | — | — | 3rd | Q | 3 |
| Cape Town Tigers
|
— | QF | QF | 4th | — | 3 |
| APR
|
— | — | — | GS | Q | 2 |
| Patriots
|
4th | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| REG
|
— | QF | QF | — | — | 2 |
| ASCVD
|
— | — | — | — | Q | 1 |
| AS Douanes
|
QF | — | 2nd | QF | — | 3 |
| DUC
|
— | GS | — | — | — | 1 |
| City Oilers
|
— | — | GS | GS | 2 | |
 Cobra Sport
|
— | GS | — | — | — | 1 |
| US Monastir
|
2nd | 1st | GS | QF | Q | 5 |
- Notes
Sponsorship and partnerships
editSince its inception, the BAL has been sponsored by multiple multinational organisations, including:
Trophy and prize money
editThe champions of the BAL finals receive the competitions' trophy, which is inspired by theadansonia(more commonly known as baobab), a common type of tree in Africa.[21]
In the inaugural season in 2021, the champions reportedly received $100,000 inprize money;runners-up received $75,000; third place $55,000 and fourth place $25,000.[22]
Organisation, ownership and investments
edit
The BAL is owned and operated by NBA Africa, a sub-entity of theNBAwhich was established in May 2021.[23]Since then, the league has been driven by private investments. At the moment of establishment, strategic investors including a consortium of Babatunde “Tunde” Folawiyo, Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP). Other investors included former players such asDikembe Mutombo,Junior Bridgeman,Luol Deng,Grant Hill,Joakim NoahandIan Mahinmi.[24]Two months later, it was announced that former President of the United StatesBarack Obamajoined NBA Africa as a strategic partner while also purchasing a minority stake in the organisation.[25]NBA commissionerAdam Silverstated that NBA Africa was valued at $1 billion.[26]
The organisation of the league currently exists out of:
- Amadou Gallo Fall (Commissioner)[27]
- John Manyo-Plange (Vice-President)[28]
- Victor Williams (CEO NBA Africa)
Criticism and controversies
editTheHuman Rights Foundationhas criticized the BAL for maintaining close relations withPaul Kagameand his Rwandan authoritarian government, and has sent an official letter to theNBAregarding the matter.[29]Other newspapers such asThe GuardianandBloomberg Newshave also described the league as being a tool forsportswashingfor the Rwandan government'srepressionand the regime's involvement in theRwandan Civil War.[29][30][31]
Media coverage
edit
The BAL games are broadcasting as many as 215 countries in 14 languages.[32]All BAL games are broadcast by:[33]
| Location | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
 Africa
|
ESPN Africa |
| Visionview.tv (online) | |
| Canal+ Afrique | |
| Voice of Africa Radio | |
 Canada
|
NBATVCanada |
| TSN | |
 China
|
TencentSports |
 Middle East
|
OnTime Sports |
| Egypt
|
Zamalek TV(Zamalek games only)[34] |
| Morocco
|
Arryadia(AS Salé games only) |
| Tunisia
|
El Watania 2(US Monastir games only) |
 United States
|
ESPN+ |
| NBA TV | |
| Voice of America | |
| International
|
beIN Sports |
| theBAL.com (online) |
References
edit- ^"NBA starting 12-team Africa league next year".ESPN.com.16 February 2019.
- ^abZillgitt, Jeff (17 December 2019)."NBA, FIBA launching 12-team league in Africa; Barack Obama to have hands-on role".USA Today.Retrieved24 March2020.
- ^Conway, Tyler (16 February 2019)."NBA Announces Basketball Africa League to Start in 2020; Barack Obama Involved".Bleacher Report.Retrieved17 February2019.
- ^Reynolds, Tim."NBA, FIBA announce plans for pro league in Africa".NBA.com.Retrieved17 February2019.
- ^"NBA, FIBA and President Obama partner to form Basketball Africa League".sports.yahoo.com.16 February 2019.Retrieved17 February2019.
- ^"NBA, FIBA bringing pro league to Africa".sports.yahoo.com.Archived fromthe originalon 12 May 2021.Retrieved17 February2019.
- ^"NBA notes: Amadou Gallo Fall is named president of Basketball Africa League".Los Angeles Times.28 May 2019.Retrieved28 September2019.
- ^"NBA's Basketball Africa League Gets One Step Closer To Reality With Announcement Of Host Cities".Forbes.Retrieved28 September2019.
- ^"African clubs to compete in qualifying tournaments for the BAL confirmed".FIBA Africa.9 October 2019.Retrieved11 October2019.
- ^"Basketball Africa League postpones start of inaugural season".NBA.com.Retrieved5 March2020.
- ^"ZAMALEK ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE INAUGURAL BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE".www.thebal.com.Archived fromthe originalon 30 May 2021.Retrieved31 May2021.
- ^ab"Basketball Africa League announces host cities, venues and dates for 2024 regular season tipping off March 9 in Pretoria, South Africa".NBA.com.5 January 2024.Retrieved9 January2024.
- ^"Petro de Luanda beat Al Ahly Ly to win BAL title".ESPN.com.3 June 2024.Retrieved6 June2024.
- ^"Historic NBA Draft night for Cameroon's Ulrich Chomche, Missi".FIBA.basketball.Retrieved30 June2024.
- ^"BAL: Why the Basketball Africa League coming into sharper focus is important for sport".GiveMeSport.30 October 2019.Retrieved5 November2019.
- ^"BAL teams to field one NBA Academy player each in 2022".ESPN.com.2 March 2022.Retrieved4 March2022.
- ^Sarl, Nas (30 May 2022)."Souleyman Diabaté remporte pour la seconde fois de suite la Basketball Africa League (BAL)".Mondialsport.ci(in French).Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"BAL announces new energy sponsor".The African Mirror.30 April 2021.Retrieved8 May2021.
- ^"VISIT RWANDA AND RWANDAIR JOIN BAL AS OFFICIAL PARTNERS".www.thebal.com.Archived fromthe originalon 16 May 2021.Retrieved16 May2021.
- ^"Basketball Africa League And Rwanda Announce Five Year Extension".www.africa.com.10 July 2023.Retrieved26 July2023.
- ^"BAL unveils giant baobab-inspired trophy as tourney enters semis".The East African.29 May 2021.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^Mintah, Yaw (5 October 2020)."Basketball Africa League Winner to pocket $150,000".Basket Ball Ghana.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"NBA forms new Africa entity and partners with strategic investors".NBA.com: NBA Communications.24 May 2021.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"Deng named ambassador for Basketball Africa".ESPN.com.12 February 2020.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"Former President Barack Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner".www.nba.com.Retrieved18 September2021.
- ^Feldman, Jacob (24 May 2021)."NBA Africa Adds Investors to Hit Billion-Dollar Valuation for Development".Sportico.com.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"NBA names Amadou Gallo Fall President of Basketball Africa League".NBA.com: NBA Communications.28 May 2019.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^"Basketball Africa League names John Manyo-Plange Vice President & Head of Strategy and Operations".NBA.com: NBA Communications.16 August 2019.Retrieved2 February2023.
- ^abSaucedo, Natalia (25 May 2021)."HRF to NBA: Don't Play Ball With Rwanda's Warmonger".Human Rights Foundation.Retrieved14 January2024.
- ^"The NBA's alignment with Rwanda's repressive leader was headscratching".the Guardian.1 June 2021.Retrieved30 April2022.
- ^Prinsloo, Loni; Hoije, Katarina; Girma, Lily (12 January 2024)."NBA's Africa League Struggles to Find Fans, Faces Mounting Losses".Bloomberg News.Retrieved14 January2024.
- ^"Basketball Africa League announces roster of broadcast partners for expanded 2022 season tipping off tomorrow".NBA.com: NBA Communications.4 March 2022.Retrieved19 September2022.
- ^"Basketball Africa League unveils international broadcast partners".sportbusiness.com.12 May 2021.Retrieved12 May2021.
- ^"قناة الزمالك تعلن اذاعة مباريات بطولة افريقيا BAL تحت رعاية NBA | اوان مصر"(in Arabic). 7 April 2022.Retrieved9 April2022.
