BAL: Nile Conference preview
After a short pause, BAL resumes with Nile Conference play.
The games will recommence on April 19, beginning with a doubleheader. The initial match, at 10 a.m. ET, will see Al Ahly Ly of Libya challenge Bangui Sporting Club from the Central African Republic. Following that, the 2023 BAL champions, Al Ahly from Egypt, will go head-to-head with the City Oilers from Uganda at 1 p.m. ET.
Watch the game via NBA.com or the NBA App.
Last month, FUS de Rabat from Morocco and Petro de Luanda from Angola qualified for the playoffs in the Kalahari Conference. However, it is still uncertain which teams from the Nile Conference will accompany them.
Al Ahly Sporting Club
Over the past year, the Egyptian club has been on a winning streak. They successfully defended their title in the Egyptian Basketball Premier League and then made a triumphant run in the 2023 BAL season, securing the league championship.
In the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in September, Al Ahly secured a victory over the G League Ignite, a team that boasted several 2024 NBA Draft prospects like Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis.
In the previous BAL season, Al Ahly had a strong run, finishing with a 7-1 record in the campaign. Their sole loss was due to a last-second shot by Petro de Luanda. The Egyptian team went on to dominate the playoffs and finals, ultimately securing the championship trophy.
Al Ahly has the potential to make history in the BAL by becoming the first team to secure consecutive titles. They are welcoming back Ehab Amin, who had an average of 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Al Ahly Ly
This season, Al Ahly Ly makes their debut in the BAL. Their qualification for the season was achieved by securing third place in the Road to BAL West Division qualifiers. The Libyan club subsequently secured their BAL spot by defeating Cameroon’s FAP in the third-place playoff.
Pierre Jackson, a former guard for the Dallas Mavericks, is now a star at a Libyan club. During the 2016-17 season, he played eight games for Dallas. He also dedicated four seasons to the G League, playing with the Idaho Stampede, Texas Legends, and South Bay Lakers.
Mouloukou Souleyman Diabate accompanies Jackson. Last season, Diabate participated in the BAL representing Petro de Luanda, where he averaged 7.1 points per game and 4.4 assists per game. His seasoned experience brings value to Al Ahly Ly.
City Oilers
The Oilers had their first season in the BAL last year. The team from Uganda had a hard time, ending the season with a 1-4 record and missing out on the playoffs.
In the Road to BAL Tournament, the Oilers secured a second-place finish in the East Division. They earned their spot in this season’s BAL by advancing to the final, where they were defeated by the Cape Town Tigers.
The Oilers might experience a different narrative in their second BAL tenure. This season is headed by Dane Miller Jr, taking the lead for the Oilers. He was the runner-up in scoring during the 2023 season, averaging 21.2 points per game.
Khaman Maluach, a member of the BAL Elevate program, is part of a strong team with Miller. Maluach, a prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft, has committed to Duke in 2024.
Bangui SC
The club from the Central African Republic is one of six teams set to make their debut in the BAL. In a surprising turn of events, Bangui won the Road to BAL West Division qualification tournament, stunning the world. They managed to defeat Al Ahly Ly in the semi-finals and FUS Rabat in the final, securing their tournament victory and progressing to the BAL.
Yasser Billy Bertin Kamayengue is the leader of Bangui. During the Road to BAL, the 19-year-old averaged 11 points per game (ppg) and 2.4 assists per game (apg). Kamayengue’s contribution of 17 points in the finals was instrumental in securing victory for Bangui.
Evans Ganapamo, ex-star player for the Cape Town Tigers, is returning to the BAL this season, representing Bangui. In his previous season with the Tigers, Ganapamo had an average of 15.8 points per game (ppg) and 4.5 rebounds per game (rpg).
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