NBA-affiliated Basketball Africa League Starts May 16 in Kigali

Between May 16 and May 30, 2021, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) will bring together 12 African teams in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, one year after the initial deadline, due to the coronavirus.

BAL was originally scheduled to debut on March 13, 2020, from Dakar, Senegal, but has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The competition stems from a partnership between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation.

Clubs from 12 African countries will participate in Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia.

This is the NBA's first initiative to launch a league outside of North America.

Group A

1. US Monastir (Tunisia) with star player Ater Majok.
2. Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) with star player Ben Uzoh.
3. Patriots (Rwanda) with star player Aristide Mugabe.
4. GNBC (Madagascar) with star player Cameron Ridley.

Group B

1. Petro de Luanda (Angola) with star player Aboubakar Gakou.
2. AS Salé (Morrocco) with star player Eric Kibi.
3. AS Police (Mali) with star player Badra Samake.
4. FAP (Cameroon) with star player Ebaku Akumenzoh.

Group C

1. Zamalek (Egypt) with star player Anas Osama Mahmoud.
2. AS Douanes (Senegal) with star player Chris Cockley.
3. GS Pétroliers (Algeria) with star player Mohamed Seddik Touati.
4. Ferroviário de Maputo (Mozambique) with star player Alvaro Calvo Masa.