BAL Playoffs Guide
Conference play in the BAL wrapped last week, and playoffs began this weekend with the qualification stage. The quarterfinals are now set, along with the stage stage for an electric playoff.
The culmination of two intense months of conference play in the BAL is finally here, as the top teams have been determined based on performance and in one case, merit. The playoff teams played a qualification round, allowing us to get a better sense of some of the modified rosters ahead of the knockout phase.
OFFICIAL BAL PLAYOFF EXPLAINER
Check out our full guide below.
Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt)
Overview
Al Ahly displayed uncommon synergy in the regular season, and it propelled them to a first place finish in the Nile Conference. A balanced attack coupled with disciplined defense helped them breeze through a competitive Nile conference, losing one game to Bangui Sporting Club. The reigning BAL champion is aiming to become the first repeat BAL champions.
Style of Play
Al Ahly runs an equal opportunity offense where any player has potential to score in double figures. They run a spread offense that leans heavily on ball screens and high-volume three point shooting. Al Ahly share the ball and their coach is strategic in the team’s execution.
Departures Since Conference Play
Marwan Sahran
Ahmed Moheib
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Omar Azab
Seifeldin Saied
X-Factor
Tony Mitchell Jr.🇺🇸 — 6’6” F, 34 years old
10.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG in the Nile conference
Mitchell impacts the game in many ways and is often tasked with guarding bigger power forwards. He’ll need to show his strong versatile play for Al Ahly to repeat as champions.
Head Coach
Augusti Julbe🇪🇸
Two-time BAL champion: Zamalek, 2021; Al Ahly, 2023
Has won hardware as an assistant and coached in top European clubs Barcelona, Baskonia, Anadolou Efes and more
BAL Elevate Player
Seifeldin Hendawy🇪🇬 — 6’7” G, 18 years old
A two-way, unselfish guard who can play on or off the ball
Loyola-Chicago commit who led NBA Academy Africa in the Road to BAL
Projection: Quarterfinal exit
Despite having beaten Al Ahly Ly twice in conference, Al Ahly SC has the potential to get upset against a rested and reloaded Libyan squad in the quarterfinals.
Al-Ahly Benghazi
Overview
Given the stacked roster and referenced coaching of Al Ahly Ly, they seemingly underperformed in conference play. That was clearly due to an injury to a key player in Pierre Jackson, resulting in an increased workload for Solo Diabate and Kevin Murphy. They’ll seek to prove that they deserve a much higher ranking than the seventh place one they earned in the regular season, having replaced Jackson with another capable lead guard in Robert Golden.
Style of Play
This team goes as their guards do and it heavily leans on the backcourt to set the tone. The big men complement them nicely with a wide array of different skillsets between them. Quick ball movement and crisp offensive sets punctuate the potent offense.
Departures Since Conference Play
Pierre Jackson🇺🇸
Anis Almansouri🇱🇾
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Omar Aldirfeeli
Robert Wilson Golden
X-Factor
Souleyman Diabate🇨🇮 — 6’0” PG, 36 years old
11.5 PPG, 7.3 APG, 5.2 RPG, 2.3 SPG in the Nile Conference
The veteran floor general is the only player in the league with two BAL championships and has the most games at the point on this team. He’ll need to show consistent leadership in order for the Libyan side to go far.
Head Coach
Ivan Jeremic🇷🇸
Incredibly experienced coach with stints in top global basketball environments such as: Crvena Zvezda, CSKA Moscow, KK Vršac and more.
Began coaching in the Arab world as of 2015, leading clubs in Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE
Had two stints as Libya’s national team coach (2001-02, 2005-07)
BAL Elevate Player
Assane Mandian🇸🇳 — 6’5” SG, 17 years old
Long and athletic wing who plays defense and has shown flashes of brilliance in limited time for NBA Academy Africa
Started to make a name for himself at Basketball Without Borders Global Camp
Projection: Third place
Al Ahly Bengazi has the athletes to make a strong title run and may have a great showing against Al Ahly. After that round, they will likely meet their match and fall to the third place game which they may win handily.
Association Sportive des Douanes (A.S. Douanes)
Overview
The accomplished Senegalese club looks to build on their success from last season where they reached the BAL championship game, eventually falling to Al Ahly. They were streaky during the Sahara conference but were able to come away with respectable record and improved team identity that carried over into the qualification round.
Style of Play
AS Douanes plays active defense and gets into the gaps in an effort to create turnovers to jumpstart the transition. Offensively, they are driven by Jean Jacques Boissy, as just about every offensive action will go through him. The other weapon who will receive the majority of touches is Abdoulaye Harouna via a variety of off-ball screens and stagger actions.
Departures Since Conference Play
N/A
Arrivals Since Conference Play
N/A
X-Factor
Madut Akec🇸🇸 — 6’7” F, 25 years old
13.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 50% FG in the Sahara Conference
Akec showed consistent production despite the bright-shining lights of JJ Boissy and Abdoulaye Harouna. He showed an inside out game that can be relied upon in crucial stages.
Head Coach
Mamadou Gueye🇸🇳
2023 BAL Head Coach of the Year who has also frequently coached Senegal’s national team.
BAL Elevate Player
Khadim Rassoul Mboup — 6’9” WF, 17 years old
A high-motor wing with athleticism and a good feel for the game.
Projection: Quarterfinals exit
AS Douanes will unfortunately not repeat their success from a season ago. They may do the job of knocking off Petro de Luanda but could run into trouble against the powerhouse in the quarterfinals.
Cape Town Tigers
Overview
Cape Town is the outlier of the bunch, having won just one conference game before making it to the playoffs. The disqualification of Dynamo and South Africa’s hosting prospects certainly played a role in their qualification. They’ll look to shock the field after acquiring more depth.
Style of Play
The Tigers looked a bit more prepared in qualification round, keeping the game close for most of it. Their big men were welcome additions and the new guard provided a needed offensive spark. rely on perimeter ball movement and interior
Departures Since Conference Play
Billy Preston🇺🇸
Storm Gilchrist🇿🇦
Lebesa Selepe🇿🇦
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Brian Bridgeforth🇺🇸
Abdoulaye Ndoye🇸🇳
Dhieu Deing🇸🇸
X-Factor
Abdoulaye Ndoye🇸🇳 — 7’0” PF/C , 34 years old
6 PTS, 4 REB, 1 STL, 4 BLK in the classification round
Cape Town had struggles at the center position and the success of their new big men should dictate how the playoffs play out for them.
Head Coach
Florsheim Ngwenya 🇿🇦
Led South Africa’s national team from 2007-2011
Won multiple South African league titles at the helm of Egoli Magic club
BAL Elevate Player
Yakhya Diop 🇸🇳 — 6’11” C, 17 years old
Young screen-setter who offers rim protection and offensive rebounding.
Projection: Quarterfinals exit
Cape Town will make an exit after not having enough to truly compete with the field in these playoffs.
FUS de Rabat
Overview
One of very few clubs not to make roster changes between the Kalahari Conference and the BAL playoffs, FUS de Rabat looks like the most cohesive team in the field. They began the classification stage with a bang by beating reigning BAL champs Al Ahly.
Style of Play
FUS spreads the floor and moves the ball well , getting to the second side early in their attack, moving the defense to open themselves up for long threes and interior play. They play a spread offense predicated on ball movement and off-ball player movement.
Departures Since Conference Play
N/A
Arrivals Since Conference Play
N/A
X-Factor
Ayoub Nouhi🇲🇦 — 6’5” G/F , 25 years old
10.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 3.3 APG in the Kalahari Conference
Nouhi wasa solid tertiary scorer for FUS coming in despite inefficient shooting numbers. If he can regain his shooting prowess in these playoffs, FUS will be at an even greater advantage.
Head Coach
Said El Bouzidi 🇲🇦
Won a continental title with AS Sale in 2017
Won four Moroccan Division Excellence titles total
Led US Monastir to a Tunisian title in 2019
BAL Elevate Player
Mohamed Sylla 🇸🇳 — 6’9” PF, 18 years old
Agile big man who can provide energy on both sides of the ball.
Projection: First place
FUS has a lot of good things to offer on both sides of the ball that not many other teams can match. Their synergy is evident as they move the ball unselfishly to everyone to find the most ideal shot and they have lockdown perimeter defenders to handle business before funneling attackers to the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Aliou Diarra.
Petro de Luanda
Overview
Petro underwent a lot of change in a short period time. Players shifted and their highly referenced coach was fired just after the Kalahari Conference. Their inconsistent play left an uneasy feeling in the organization and the league but they will attempt to right the ship this playoffs.
Style of Play
Petro is a cohesive group that has a lot of experience together and it shows. Their off-ball movements are crisp and they screen with a purpose, sharing the ball to find the best shot available. On defense, they’re able to seamlessly switch from man to a 2-3 zone and get out in transition. If they can stay focused for an entire 40 minutes, they could surprise other teams.
Departures Since Conference Play
Anthony Nelson🇺🇸
Edmir Lucas🇦🇴
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Nicholas Faust🇺🇸
Clesio Castro🇦🇴
Most Important Player
Aboubacar Gakou 🇦🇴 — 6’7” PF, 26 years old
9 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 57% FG in the classification stage
The Angolan MVP was relatively quiet in conference play and it’s only a matter of time before he shows the impactful scoring he has poured into the Angolan league and national team play. His scoring will be needed for Petro to do any damage.
Head Coach
Sergio Moreno 🇪🇸
Replaced BAL Season 2 Coach of the Year Jose Neto after the Kalahari conference
BAL Elevate Player
Aginaldo Neto 🇦🇴 — 6’1” PG, 17 years old
One of the most prominent NBA Academy Africa players already, Neto plays with a lot of speed and heart, getting downhill and drawing multiple defenders before making great decisions.
Projection: Third place
Petro should be able to outclass AS Douanes in the quarterfinals before getting bumped in the semifinals. There, they should be able to put together a solid game and win third place.
Rivers Hoopers
Overview
Rivers Hoopers shocked the continent with their extremely hot start in the Sahara Conference. They came well-prepared and even their reserves were able to put up a valiant fight in the classification stage as the starters rested in preparation for the knockout round.
Style of Play
Rivers Hoopers boast an equal opportunity offense where the ball is shared with everyone instead of leaning on one or two players too heavily. They swing the ball from side to side and drive when necessary, letting Will Perry take the reigns if the team is ever in a tough position.
Departures Since Conference Play
Michael Daramola
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Victor Damilola Mohamed
X-Factor
Kelvin Amayo🇳🇬 — 6’4” G, 31 years old
14.0 PPG, 6.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG in the Sahara Conference
Kelvin Amayo is an electric scorer and arguably an even better distributor. You can count on his unselfishness, but he will need to shoot the ball efficiently for Rivers Hoopers to stand a chance at competing.
Head Coach
Ogoh Odaudu🇳🇬
Former Nigerian national team point guard has coached this team since 2021, and has national team coaching experience at all levels.
BAL Elevate Player
David Ugonna Ike🇳🇬 — 6’11” C, 16 years old
A springy big man who gets off the floor quickly. One of the top performers in his age bracket, the lefty consistently finishes above the rim and protects it ferociously on the other end.
Projection: Second place
Rivers Hoopers impressive play should continue in these playoffs as they lean on their hard-working group of players. Their unselfish play and energy will power them all the way to the finals until they meet the FUS Rabat machine.
Union Sportive Monastirienne (U.S. Monastir)
Overview
US Monastir has shown a rollercoaster of performances, losing their first three consecutive games before going undefeated to this point for an overall record of 4-3. They’ll seek the podium after making it back to the playoffs after not qualifying a season ago.
Style of Play
The Monastirienne offense is centered around star guard Chris Crawford, who scores and hands out assists with deft touch. Their offense fires up a good amount of three pointers and they boast a former defensive player of the year in Ater Majok.
Departures Since Conference Play
Amrou Bouallague🇹🇳
Arrivals Since Conference Play
Avry Marshall Holmes
X-Factor
Firas Lahyani🇹🇳 — 6’7” PF, 32 years old
19 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 77% FG in classification stage
The accomplished international forward has started to come into his own since Monastir began their winning streak. He has been as decisive as can be, knocking down a game-winner at the buzzer in the classification stage.
Head Coach
Mohamed El-Kerdandi🇪🇬
A former Egyptian national team captain, he is the first Egyptian head coach in the history of the BAL.
BAL Elevate Player
Ahmed Bedoui — 6’6” G, 16 years old
Projection: Fourth Place
A shaky team identity won’t have this team officially make it to the podium but they should play well enough to make it to the semifinals at least. After that, a rematch with Petro de Luanda is likely, with the Angolans making up for the loss they suffered against Monastir earlier.