The second edition of the BAL sees 12 teams from around the continent compete in a very different format from 2021, across three months instead of a two-week COVID-induced bubble.
The tournament is divided into three stints, with the Sahara Conference taking place in Dakar, Senegal from March 5-15, the Nile Conference in Cairo, Egypt, from April 9-19, and the playoffs and finals in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 21-28.
Defending champions Zamalek return, and will play at home in Cairo, while new sides like Cape Town Tigers, DUC Dakar, and Cobra Sport from South Sudan will make their debuts.
Another change is the addition of NBA Academy Africa players to each team, with one teen from the Academy in Saly, Senegal, joining the teams for the duration. While they will not be eligible for any prize money, the experience gained will be invaluable for potential NCAA and big league talents.
How to watch:
The BAL will air across Africa on ESPN’s channels on DStv, as well as selected Free To Air partners. ESPN+ and ESPN News will air the tournament in the US.
Key content:
AS Sale coach Liz Mills has the respect of all her players
Newly-hired AS Salé coach Liz Mills will make history when she leads the Moroccan champions at the Basketball Africa League, becoming the first woman to coach a BAL side, and the first to coach a Moroccan men’s team.
Which rapper could fill J. Cole’s kicks at the BAL?
This year, Cole will not be making the trip to Dakar, Cairo, or Kigali, [and neither will the Patriots], but there are a few other rappers out there who would probably not mind having a go.
Terrell Stoglin has always been at peace with himself
Terrell Stoglin, who will again be playing for AS Sale in the Basketball Africa League, is philosophical when looking back on his basketball career so far, saying he has never been anything other than at peace with himself. Stoglin, who was the first player to score 40 points in the BAL, will return to the tournament with the Moroccan side, though is perhaps most well-known for his critical comments on rapper J. Cole’s presence at the BAL last year.
How Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers got kicked out of the BAL
The second edition of the Basketball Africa League will be missing a significant component when it tips off in March, after Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers were replaced at the 11th hour by Morocco’s AS Sale. Both sides competed at the first edition, and Hoopers had qualified for this year’s tournament before FIBA, the sport’s governing body, deemed them ineligible and replaced them with Sale, who had reached the quarterfinals in 2021.
Cape Town Tigers coach Al Harrington on Black coaches
Former NBA veteran and Cape Town Tigers assistant coach Al Harrington has criticized the NFL for failing to emulate basketball’s attitude towards hiring Black coaches.
Ike Diogu says LeBron James is the best player he’s faced
Nigeria captain Ike Diogu played against the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal during his near-decade in the NBA, but says LeBron James stands out as the most complete opponent he ever faced.
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