BASKETBALL - The African Mirror

May

16

2025

Kigali Erupts: Elite African basketball titans clash in final BAL qualifier

BASKETBALL

THE basketball world's anticipation shifts to Rwanda, where the iconic 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali stands ready to ignite as host for the Nile Conference's thrilling Basketball Africa League qualifiers. Four teams are set to clash in this cathedral of competition: South Africa's Made By Basketball (MBB), Kenya's Nairobi City Thunder, Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli, and the passionate home representatives, APR Basketball (Rwanda). The 2025 BAL Season Journey The Kalahari Conference group phase took place from April 5-13 in Rabat, Morocco The Sahara Conference group phase ran from April 26 to May 4 at the Dakar Arena in Senegal The…

May

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Basketball Africa League: The Unlikely Heroes of Cape Verde

BASKETBALL

THE ancient arena in Dakar trembled with the roar of thousands. Sweat glistened on the hardwood floor under the harsh lights as the clock ticked down to the final seconds of regulation time. Petro de Luanda, the defending champions of the Basketball Africa League, stood poised to crush the dreams of the upstart team from Cape Verde. But Kriol Star wasn't ready to surrender their moment. Anderson Correia wiped the perspiration from his brow, his eyes locked on the scoreboard: 64-64. Overtime loomed. The defending champions versus the newcomers. David versus Goliath. "This is our time," he whispered to Ivan…

Apr

23

2025

By SILALEI SHANI

Basketball Roundup: Global Expansion in Africa, BAL Season 5, and Nigeria’s Reuben Chinyelu triumphs with NCAA title

BASKETBALL

THE world's top basketball organisation, FIBA, focused attention on growing the game across the African continent in April. Executives meeting in Rabar focused attention on the 2025 men's and women's AfroBasket tournaments, the Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) qualifiers, the Women’s Basketball League Africa and the ongoing growth of FIBA Africa’s 3x3 competitions. Reuben Chinyelu on media day. Photo Courtesy: Reuben Chinyelu The meetings brought together some of the most influential figures in African basketball, including FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave, Regional Director Dr. Alphonse Bilé, COO and Deputy Regional Director Julien Farran, and Executive Committee Members Samuel Ahmedu,…

Apr

10

2025

By The African Mirror

Photo essay: BAL Kalahari Conference

BASKETBALL, MULTIMEDIA

THE 2025 BAL Kalahari Conference in Morocco delivered a vibrant mix of thrilling basketball action and captivating entertainment. The event showcased the best of sport and culture, from legendary performances by Moroccan artists ElGrande Toto and Lazaro to dramatic comebacks and strategic plays on the court. Here's a visual recap of some of the most memorable moments from the second day of the conference.

Mar

24

2025

By SILALEI SHANI

African basketball roundup: South Sudan heartbreak, Maluach leads Duke, Nairobi City Thunder beef up

BASKETBALL

FORMER South Sudanese national team player, Dominik Philip passed away earlier this month at the age of 29. Philip, who was based in the USA at the time of his demise played four games for Bright Stars of South Sudan in the 2021 Afrobasket Pre-Qualifiers Zone 5 competition in January 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya, averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The 6’2 guard played college basketball for the Southwestern Christian University Eagles in Division One of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) and graduated in 2020. Last year, Dominik played for the Midtown Prestige in…

Feb

22

2025

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird’s African Basketball Roundup

BASKETBALL

FORMER Toronto Raptors player, Bruno Fernando is joining Spanish basketball giants, Real Madrid, Uganda’s Gazelles take down defending regional champions Egypt to qualify for the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2025 and Nigerian American Chiney Ogwumike is named the BAL’s first female ambassador. Here's your roundup of African Basketball News from commentator, analyst and former national captain, Silalei Shani. Spanish basketball giants, Real Madrid, have signed Angolan centre Bruno Fernando on a one-year deal to add volume to their interior rotation, hoping to break what has been one of the club’s worst seasons in recent memory. The team currently sits in eighth…

Feb

18

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NBA commissioner pays tribute to Dikembe Mutombo with announcement of annual award

BASKETBALL

THE NBA on Saturday (February 15) announced the creation of the NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, an annual honour recognizing individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to health, education, and economic opportunity in Africa. The creation of the award solidifies the basketball icon’s legacy as a global humanitarian whose impact transcended sports, ensuring that his lifelong mission of empowering African communities continues for generations. “Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver when announcing the award at the organisation's 10th annual All-Star…

Jan

22

2025

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

BAL Combine ’25, Kenya preparations and Rwanda’s Super Cup kick off the new year

BASKETBALL

JANUARY began with a bang for continental basketball as the Basketball Africa League (BAL) held its annual Combine bringing 30 players from Africa, Europe, and the U.S. with the aim of feeding the players into the teams participating in the BAL 2025 season. Hosted in Rabat, Morocco, the premiere talent-scouting event took place from January 10th-12th at the Ibn Yassine Sports Hall and featured anthropometric and athletic testing, positional skill development, as well as 5-on 5 games in front of team executives, coaches and scouts. This format not only allowed players to highlight their unique strengths but also gave the…

Nov

25

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

BAL’s 2025 season will showcase north, south Africa

BASKETBALL

THE Basketball Africa League (BAL) will showcase the length and breadth of Africa's basketball landscape during the league's fifth season, with Morocco set to host the tipoff games for the first time. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat will serve as the stage for the new season’s tipoff, underscoring the league's commitment to broadening its footprint across the continent. According to Anibal Manave, President of FIBA Africa, “The Kalahari Conference marks another expansion of the BAL into a new country on our continent, and we are more than satisfied.” “Year after year, this competition grows, giving greater exposure…

Nov

22

2024

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

In African Basketball: Senegal hosts Dakar En Jeux, FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers, Kenya gets BAL Elite 16

BASKETBALL

THE third edition of the Dakar En Jeux Festival which took place in Dakar, Senegal in November saw Nigeria’s U16 girls and Senegal’s U16 boys clinch gold medals. In the girl's final, Nigeria defeated Senegal 10-8 in a hotly contested game, a day after the Nigerian side lost an encounter against Senegal in the group stage. Victor Okoro, Nigeria’s head of delegation and team coordinator, was thrilled about the outcome. “I’m very proud of this team. I am also happy that once again, they have made Nigeria proud on the international stage,” he remarked. The boys’ final saw Senegal beat…