The Basketball Africa League enters its fifth season, showcasing rising stars and exciting new matchups across the continent.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) tips off Saturday for its milestone fifth season, featuring a new host city and championship destination. The league saw a major milestone last year when former player and Cameroon native Ulrich Chomche was selected by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Draft. Duke freshman Khaman Maluach, another former BAL prospect, is also on track for the NBA, projected as a lottery pick in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft.
With NBA-level talent emerging and a revamped tournament structure, the BAL looks to build on last season’s momentum.
Here are players and storylines to look out for ahead of the Kalahari Conference opener Saturday.
Players to Watch
- George King (U.S.; Al Ittihad) – A 6-foot-6 guard drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2018, King has played in Italy, Poland, and Germany.
- Majok Machar Deng (South Sudan; Al Ittihad) – Alongside Maluach, Machar Deng represented South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Johnathan Jordan (U.S.; FUS de Rabat) – A veteran guard with international experience, Jordan led FUS de Rabat last season, averaging 15 points, 5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
- Kelvin Amayo (Nigeria; Loyola Marymount University) – The 33-year-old averaged 16 points and 6.5 assists last season, earning Second-Team All-BAL honors.
Expanded Continental Presence
For the first time, BAL games will be played in Rabat, Morocco, as part of the Kalahari Conference group phase. Pretoria, South Africa, will serve as the new postseason destination. With all regions of Africa represented as host cities, the league aims to expand its fanbase across the continent, the African diaspora, and beyond.
Rivers Hoopers Reload
Will Perry, a fan favorite last season, led Rivers Hoopers with 17 points and five assists per game, earning First-Team All-BAL honors and helping secure the bronze medal. With Perry now playing for ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), the Hoopers will turn to Nigerian-Canadian Kelvin Amayo to lead them in Pretoria.
A Record Six New Teams
This season welcomes six new teams — the most in BAL history:
- ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal)
- Kriol Star Basketball (Cape Verde)
- Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)
- Made by Basketball (South Africa)
- Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya)
- Al Ittihad (Egypt)
Kriol Star Basketball and Nairobi City Thunder also mark the first BAL representatives from Cape Verde and Kenya, respectively.
Honoring Dikembe Mutombo
The BAL will pay tribute to the late Dikembe Mutombo throughout the season, featuring a “DM55” patch on player uniforms and holding moments of silence before each conference group phase. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Hall of Famer was the NBA’s first global ambassador after retiring in 2009.
The BAL will honor NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo throughout Season 5, including a “DM55” patch on all player jerseys and moments of silence ahead of each conference group phase. pic.twitter.com/5pvcdCUuqS
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) April 2, 2025
BAL Elevate Continues to Shine
The BAL remains committed to developing Africa’s next generation of talent, with Chomche and Maluach as prime examples. Nigeria-born Rueben Chinyelu has also been a key contributor to Florida’s Final Four run.
This season, NBA Academy Africa will face the U23 Rwandan National Team, while four Academy athletes will compete in the Kalahari Conference through the BAL Elevate program:
- Yakhya Diop (Senegal; FUS Rabat)
- Matong Akech Malek Muorwel (South Sudan; Al Ittihad)
- David Ugonna Ike (Nigeria; Rivers Hoopers)
- Ousseynou Sambe (Senegal; Stade Malien)
As the BAL embarks on its fifth season, the league continues to expand its footprint while shaping the future of basketball in Africa.
