The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is the premier men's basketball league in Africa.[1] Founded in 2019, the league was established and is co-organized by NBA Africa and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).[2]
| Organising body | NBA Africa FIBA |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 2019 |
| First season | 2021 |
| Country | FIBA Africa member countries |
| Confederation | FIBA Africa |
| Divisions | 3 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Current champions | (1st title) (2024) |
| Most championships | |
| All-time top scorer | Chris Crawford (341 points) |
| Commissioner | Amadou Gallo Fall |
| TV partners |
|
| Website | theBAL.com |
Each season typically runs from March to May, and in the current format the league consists of twelve teams. Each of the teams qualify through their performance in their domestic competition, a meritocratic system similar to the format of the UEFA Champions League.[3] Six teams qualify directly, while six others have to play in the Road to BAL. The season exists out of three conferences and uses playoffs to determine the champions. The BAL champions of each season automatically qualify for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
The first season was held in 2021 and thus far, three champions have won the competition.
History
editOn 16 February 2019 the National Basketball Association and FIBA announced plans to establish a continental professional basketball league.[4] During a press conference at the 2019 NBA All-Star weekend, NBA commissioner Adam Silver elaborated 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 Africa and Tunisia.[5][6] Silver also hinted at the involvement of former U.S. president Barack Obama in 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 in Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.[8]
On 15 October 2019, the qualifying tournaments for the inaugural season began, with teams from 32 African countries participating.[9] The start of the BAL was eventually postponed twice due to the disruptive COVID-19 pandemic.[10] The first BAL game was played on 16 May 2021, in the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, which hosted the entire tournament. The season was held in a bio-secure bubble with only limited attendance allowed. On 30 May, Zamalek from Egypt won the first-ever BAL championship after beating US Monastir in the inaugural final.[11]
The following season, the league expanded it format with five-team conferences (the Sahara and Nile Conference), which were held in Dakar and Cairo. The playoffs were held in Kigali.
The fourth league season, in 2024, saw an expansion to three conference with the Kalahari Conference,[12] as well as Petro de Luanda becoming the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to win the championship.[13] After the season, Ulrich Chomche from Cameroon became the first former BAL player to be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as he was picked in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.[14]
Format
editEach BAL season consists of twelve teams. In the regular season, the twelve teams are divided into three conferences (the Sahara Conference, Nile Conference, and Kalahari 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 the Basketball Champions League and football competition CAF Champions League, the BAL has qualifying rounds to determine the teams that qualify for each season. National federations from African countries are given the opportunity to send one representing club, usually the champions of the respective national league. In the Road 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 the 2022 season, the BAL launched the BAL Elevate program in cooperation with the NBA 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
editOver four BAL seasons, 24 teams from 19 countries have played in the BAL.
Current teams
editThe following are the twelve teams of the 2024 BAL season.
| Conference | Team | City, Country | National league | National titles | Founded | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nile Conference | Benghazi, Libya | Libyan Division I Basketball League | 3 | 1950 | 2024 | |
| Bangui, Central African Republic | Bangui Basketball League | 2 | 2017 | 2024 | ||
| Kampala, Uganda | NBL Uganda | 9 | 2011 | 2023 | ||
| Cairo, Egypt | Egyptian Basketball Super League | 8 | 1930 | 2023 | ||
| Sahara Conference | Kigali, Rwanda | Rwanda Basketball League | 14 | 1993 | 2024 | |
| Monastir, Tunisia | Championnat National A | 9 | 1923 | 2021 | ||
| Dakar, Senegal | Nationale 1 | 11 | 1980 | 2021 | ||
| Port Harcourt, Nigeria | Nigerian Premier League | 5 | 2005 | 2021 | ||
| Kalahari Conference | Cape Town, South Africa | South African National Championship | 3 | 2019 | 2022 | |
| Luanda, Angola | Angolan Basketball League | 16 | 1980 | 2021 | ||
| Bujumbura, Burundi | Viva Basketball League | 3 | 1968 | 2024 | ||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| 1 | 1 | 2024 | 2022 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2023 | — | |
| 1 | 0 | 2021 | — | |
| 0 | 1 | — | 2023 | |
| 0 | 1 | — | 2024 |
Performance by country
edit| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Years won | Years runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2021, 2023 | — | |
| 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| 1 | 1 | 2024 | 2022 | |
| 0 | 1 | — | 2023 | |
| 0 | 1 | — | 2024 |
Records and statistics
editSolo Diabate and Michael Fakuade have won two BAL championships, and are the only players to have won multiple titles.[17] Chris Crawford is the all-time scoring leader of the league, having scored 341 points in three seasons.[outdated statistic]
All-time participants
editThe 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 19 teams from 16 countries have played in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
| 3rd | 2nd | 4th | 1st | Q | 5 | |
| — | — | — | GS[b] | 1 | ||
| — | — | — | GS | 1 | ||
| — | — | QF | — | 1 | ||
| QF | 4th | — | — | — | 2 | |
| — | GS | — | — | — | 1 | |
| — | — | 1st | QF | — | 2 | |
| — | — | — | — | Q | 1 | |
| 1st | 3rd | — | — | — | 2 | |
| — | QF | GS | — | 2 | ||
| — | — | — | 2nd | — | 1 | |
| GS | — | — | — | 1 | ||
| GS | — | — | — | 1 | ||
| — | — | 3rd | — | 1 | ||
| QF | QF | — | — | — | 2 | |
| — | — | — | QF | 1 | ||
| — | GS | QF | — | — | 2 | |
| QF | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
| — | — | GS | — | 1 | ||
| GS | — | — | 3rd | 2 | ||
| — | QF | QF | 4th | — | 3 | |
| — | — | — | GS | 1 | ||
| 4th | — | — | — | 1 | ||
| — | QF | QF | — | — | 2 | |
| — | — | — | — | Q | 1 | |
| QF | — | 2nd | QF | — | 3 | |
| — | GS | — | — | — | 1 | |
| — | — | GS | GS | 2 | ||
| — | GS | — | — | 1 | ||
| 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 the adansonia (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 in prize money; runners-up received $75,000; third place $55,000 and fourth place $25,000.[22]
Organisation, ownership and investments
editThe BAL is owned and operated by NBA Africa, a sub-entity of the NBA which 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 as Dikembe Mutombo, Junior Bridgeman, Luol Deng, Grant Hill, Joakim Noah and Ian Mahinmi.[24] Two months later, it was announced that former President of the United States Barack Obama joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner while also purchasing a minority stake in the organisation.[25] NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated 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
editThe Human Rights Foundation has criticized the BAL for maintaining close relations with Paul Kagame and his Rwandan authoritarian government, and has sent an official letter to the NBA regarding the matter.[29] Other newspapers such as The Guardian and Bloomberg News have also described the league as being a tool for sportswashing for the Rwandan government's repression and the regime's involvement in the Rwandan Civil War.[29][30][31]
Media coverage
editThe BAL games are broadcasting as many as 215 countries in 14 languages.[32] All BAL games are broadcast by:[33]
| Location | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| ESPN Africa | |
| Visionview.tv (online) | |
| Canal+ Afrique | |
| Voice of Africa Radio | |
| NBATV Canada | |
| TSN | |
| Tencent Sports | |
| OnTime Sports | |
| Zamalek TV (Zamalek games only)[34] | |
| Arryadia (AS Salé games only) | |
| El Watania 2 (US Monastir games only) | |
| ESPN+ | |
| NBA TV | |
| Voice of America | |
| beIN Sports | |
| theBAL.com (online) |
References
edit- ^ "NBA starting 12-team Africa league next year". ESPN.com. 16 February 2019.
- ^ a b Zillgitt, Jeff (17 December 2019). "NBA, FIBA launching 12-team league in Africa; Barack Obama to have hands-on role". USA Today. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Conway, Tyler (16 February 2019). "NBA Announces Basketball Africa League to Start in 2020; Barack Obama Involved". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim. "NBA, FIBA announce plans for pro league in Africa". NBA.com. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "NBA, FIBA and President Obama partner to form Basketball Africa League". sports.yahoo.com. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "NBA, FIBA bringing pro league to Africa". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "NBA notes: Amadou Gallo Fall is named president of Basketball Africa League". Los Angeles Times. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "NBA's Basketball Africa League Gets One Step Closer To Reality With Announcement Of Host Cities". Forbes. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "African clubs to compete in qualifying tournaments for the BAL confirmed". FIBA Africa. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Basketball Africa League postpones start of inaugural season". NBA.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "ZAMALEK ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE INAUGURAL BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE". www.thebal.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ a b "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. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Petro de Luanda beat Al Ahly Ly to win BAL title". ESPN.com. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Historic NBA Draft night for Cameroon's Ulrich Chomche, Missi". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "BAL: Why the Basketball Africa League coming into sharper focus is important for sport". GiveMeSport. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "BAL teams to field one NBA Academy player each in 2022". ESPN.com. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Sarl, Nas (30 May 2022). "Souleyman Diabaté remporte pour la seconde fois de suite la Basketball Africa League (BAL)". Mondialsport.ci (in French). Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "BAL announces new energy sponsor". The African Mirror. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "VISIT RWANDA AND RWANDAIR JOIN BAL AS OFFICIAL PARTNERS". www.thebal.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Basketball Africa League And Rwanda Announce Five Year Extension". www.africa.com. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "BAL unveils giant baobab-inspired trophy as tourney enters semis". The East African. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ Mintah, Yaw (5 October 2020). "Basketball Africa League Winner to pocket $150,000". Basket Ball Ghana. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "NBA forms new Africa entity and partners with strategic investors". NBA.com: NBA Communications. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Deng named ambassador for Basketball Africa". ESPN.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Former President Barack Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner". www.nba.com. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Feldman, Jacob (24 May 2021). "NBA Africa Adds Investors to Hit Billion-Dollar Valuation for Development". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "NBA names Amadou Gallo Fall President of Basketball Africa League". NBA.com: NBA Communications. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Basketball Africa League names John Manyo-Plange Vice President & Head of Strategy and Operations". NBA.com: NBA Communications. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b Saucedo, Natalia (25 May 2021). "HRF to NBA: Don't Play Ball With Rwanda's Warmonger". Human Rights Foundation. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "The NBA's alignment with Rwanda's repressive leader was headscratching". the Guardian. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Prinsloo, Loni; Hoije, Katarina; Girma, Lily (12 January 2024). "NBA's Africa League Struggles to Find Fans, Faces Mounting Losses". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Basketball Africa League announces roster of broadcast partners for expanded 2022 season tipping off tomorrow". NBA.com: NBA Communications. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Basketball Africa League unveils international broadcast partners". sportbusiness.com. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ "قناة الزمالك تعلن اذاعة مباريات بطولة افريقيا BAL تحت رعاية NBA | اوان مصر" (in Arabic). 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.