BAL Season 4 Preview: Nile Conference
What to expect from the four African teams that make up the Nile Conference in the Basketball Africa League.
The second leg of the Basketball Africa League will soon tip off with the Nile Conference taking place in Cairo, Egypt. The conference features two teams who are new to the BAL along with two with previous experience — one of which is the reigning BAL champion. Competition will be from April 19-27 with each team in the conference playing the others twice.
Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt)
Overview
Al Ahly is the reigning BAL champion, having won the competition in 2023. A club with a big budget and good organization, they have a long and storied history of winning multiple titles domestically, regionally and continentally.
Style of Play
Principled on defense, they apply reasonable pressure in the half court. They want to get into transition and score quickly. Offensively, they run a spread five-out offense using the big man at the top of the key for screens and connection. Al Ahly aren’t afraid to line up three or more guards and they are empowered to attack at any time, driving the seams and getting shots up.
Departures
Nuni Omot🇸🇸
Corey Webster🇳🇿
Michael Thompson🇺🇸
Ahmed Ismail🇪🇬
Michael Fakuade🇳🇬
Seif Said🇪🇬
Amr Zahran🇪🇬
Moamen Tarek🇪🇬
Omar Azab🇪🇬
Arrivals
Patrick Gardner🇪🇬
Mark Lyons🇺🇸
Prince Ali🇬🇭
Tony Mitchell🇺🇸
Mohamed Elmaraghy🇪🇬
Moustafa Elmekawi🇪🇬
Mohamed Abdelkawy🇪🇬
Key Players
Ehab Amin🇪🇬 — 6’4” G, 28 years old
12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2 SPG in 2023 BAL
The highest paid basketball player in Egypt’s history, Amin is at his best when he doesn’t have to shoulder the offense and can harass others with his perimeter defense
Patrick Gardner🇪🇬 — 6’11” F/C, 24 years old
7.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG on 53.8% FG, 37.5% 3PT in 15 MPG with the Long Island Nets (G League)
A true stretch big, Gardner can do it all offensively. He should be a mismatch for most defenders
Prince Ali🇬🇭 — 6’4” G, 27 years old
8.4 PPG on 45.3% FG this season for San Pablo Burgos in Spain
Plays bigger than his size, utilizes strength in the post and a reliable jump shot to set up drives
Has spent most of his career playing in Spain, making the adjustment to the Spanish coach’s systems easier
Mark Lyons🇺🇸 — 6’1” G, 34 years old
12.8 PPG, 3.5 AST, 1.3 SPG in 24 MPG in Mexico this season
Dynamic scorer who is also solid on defense and can distribute when he doesn’t have a lane
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: 4-2, qualified for playoffs
Quality systems and coaching won’t be enough for Al Ahly to cruise through this competition. Their roster has seen a lot of turnover from last season, losing three of their top scorers and assist-men that led them to the championship. Their replacements are of top quality, but a lack of continuity has led to surprising losses in Egypt’s domestic league and the same could happen on the BAL stage.
City Oilers
Overview
An upstart addition to the BAL founded in 2011, the City Oilers failed to qualify for the playoffs in their last berth. A new and improved look and with some experience under their belts, they look to seriously contend for one of the coveted spots. Many eyes will be on this team as BAL Elevate player and Duke commit Khaman Maluach will look to make history for the Ugandan side.
Style of Play
During the Road to BAL, City Oilers prioritized rapid ball movement before getting into various forms of get action. With a brand new coach in place, don’t be surprised if the style shifts a bit. The new coach was a part of the NBA Academy Africa team that went 2-1 in the Road to BAL. They prioritized off-ball movement to get players open while using Khaman Maluach as a hub decision-maker, which could be City Oilers’ next evolution.
Departures
Brandon Sebirumbi🇺🇬
Edrine Walujjo🇺🇬
Parrish Petty🇺🇸
Germaine Roebuck🇺🇸
Arrivals
Muhammed Bashir Ahmed🇬🇭
Randy Culpepper🇺🇸
Patrick Rembert🇺🇸
Key Players
Dane Miller🇺🇸 — 6’8” PF, 33 years old
13.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.5 SPG in Road to BAL
Extremely creative “big guard” who is capable of scoring from anywhere and making plays for others
Khaman Maluach🇸🇸 — 7’1” C, 17 years old
21 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 3.6 BPG on 55.8% FG in Road to BAL
Dominated the Road to BAL with NBA Academy Africa, putting his versatility on full display
Robinson Opong🇺🇬 — 6’4” SG, 34 years old
13.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 38.9% 3PT on 9 attempts per game in the Road to BAL
A gunner who showed he can fill it up when he’s on. Scored a record 39 points in AfroBasket qualifiers.
Titus Odeke🇺🇬 — 6’10” PF, 25 years old
8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.8 BPG in Road to BAL
Part of the glue of this team in BAL qualifiers, Odeke does the dirty work, scoring when he can and attacking the glass
Head Coach
Karim Nesba🇲🇦
Coached NBA Academy Africa in the Road to BAL and assisted the Toronto Raptors in 2023 NBA Summer League
Former Moroccan national team player
BAL Elevate Player
Khaman Maluach — 7’1” C, 17 years old
Mobile and fluid 7-footer who excels at shotblocking but can shoot, handle and distribute as well
Projected 2025 NBA lottery pick with a ton of upside
Projection: 2-4, not qualified for playoffs
City Oilers will no doubt bring a strong team that is determined to make noise, but risk falling to more established, team-oriented organizations. They may not have enough talent at the point guard position to match up with some of the more potent teams in the Nile conference. The rest of their positions are interesting and they have some firepower though, so they could shock a few teams.
Al-Ahly Benghazi
Overview
Libya made a grand re-entrance to continental competition at AfroBasket qualifiers, and now they seek to do the same with their club in the BAL. Al Ahly picked up a number of names that are well-known across African basketball and the world, showing how serious they are in attempting to replicate the success of a team like FUS Rabat.
Style of Play
During the Road to BAL, this team leaned heavily on side and middle ball screens to make use of the incredible scoring and playmaking perimeter talent they had. Though they lost two of those top scorers, they gained other scorers and retained a legendary playmaker so they could continue this type of play. They took quick shots in transition, proving they were never too far out of contention. With a new coach, this style could change drastically as Serbian coaches are known worldwide for their tactical prowess.
Departures
Ater Majok🇸🇸🇱🇧
Chris Crawford🇺🇸
Zach Lofton🇺🇸
Arrivals
Anis Almansouri🇱🇾
Pierre Jackson🇺🇸
Kevin Murphy🇺🇸
Lual Lual Acuil🇸🇸
Majok Machar Deng🇸🇸
Key Players
Souleyman Diabate🇨🇮 — 6’0” PG, 36 years old
13.5 PPG, 6.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 SPG in Road to BAL
Continuing to build on his legend, the two-time BAL champion sets the table for his teammates and makes elite reads based off what the defense gives him
https://youtube.com/shorts/AtecVnN6ivY?si=KEBQ-bvGqaJCBrpX
Majok Machar Deng🇸🇸 — 6’10” F, 31 years old
7.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 52.9% FG in Australia this season
Averaged 10.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG in 23 MPG for South Sudan in the FIBA World Cup
Pierre Jackson🇺🇸 — 5’10” PG, 32 years old
15.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.8 APG between Beirut and China this season
Explosive guard who plays much larger than his size and is an efficient shooter from distance
Sofian Hamad🇱🇾 — 6’7” PF, 25 years old
13.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 63.6% FG in Road to BAL
The only domestic player to get consistent minutes alongside star imports, his efficiency was crucial to the teams success
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: 5-1, qualified for playoffs
Al Ahly Bengazi boasts the best point guard play in this conference with the experienced Solo Diabate and the sensational Pierre Jackson. That backcourt duo should be enough to control the tempo and find the best shots available for the Libyan side. Add an exceptional coach and there are just too many high-level basketball minds for other teams to overcome.
Bangui Sporting Club
Overview
A relatively new project with high ambitions, they have had few problems recruiting talented players and coaches. Other off-court issues have given them trouble in retaining all of this talent, though. Conditions did not allow them to host the Road to BAL as planned and they ended up losing two consecutive coaching staffs and a handful of import players. Despite all this, management was able to pull things together and restore trust in their vision.
Style of Play
Bangui Sporting Club leans on their impeccable wings to carry the offensive load. Many of their sets are actions that have the end goal of isolating their wings whether it’s on the perimeter or in the post. They have good shooters and take advantage of that, always hunting long-range shots.
Departures
Max Kouguere🇨🇫
Jacoby Ross🇺🇸
Malcom Rhett🇺🇸
Mike Emeka🇺🇸
Moses Bol🇸🇸
Arrivals
Kurt Wegsheider🇨🇫
Thierry Darlan🇨🇫
Emeka Nwabuzor🇳🇬
Francky Mbombo🇨🇫
Herve Yerimo🇨🇫
Key Players
Evans Ganapamo🇨🇫 — 6’7” SF, 29 years old
17.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG in Road to BAL
Aggressively hunts his shot, scoring on all three levels and exploiting any mismatch he senses
Thierry Darlan🇨🇫 — 6’8” SG, 20 years old
4.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG for G League Ignite
Darlan is incredibly motivated to show drastic development as he prepares for a potential NBA Draft declaration
Rolly Fula Nganga🇨🇩 — 6’7” SF, 31 years old
13.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.5 BPG, 0.5 SPG in Road to BAL
A big shooter, he has averaged efficient and productive scoring numbers since the inception of the BAL
Yasser Kamayengue🇨🇫 — 5’11” PG, 19 years old
11.0 PPG, 1.4 SPG, 40% 3PT in Road to BAL
The youngster has a bright future and is effective getting to his spots and distributing for others
Head Coach
Francois Enyegue🇨🇲
Former BAL coach of FAP, also assisted at NBA Summer League 2023
BSC’s third coach in less than a year was brought in at the last moment due to aforementioned issues
BAL Elevate Player
Ahmed Abouelela🇪🇬 — 6’6” SG, 17 years old
A shooter in every sense of the word, Abouelela loves to come off screens and shoot off movement
He’s coming off a good performance with Egypt’s junior national team where he averaged 14.6 PPG and 5.1 RPG
Projection: 1-5, not qualified for playoffs
With so much going on in the background for Bangui Sporting Club, it’s hard to imagine their team chemistry is in a good place. Cycling through coaches and losing key players at critical times will prove to be too much to overcome, even if they have some promising individual players suiting up.
Great read bro. Respect from here in UK @NBA-jayy