Sahara Conference Recap + Diaspora Drop All-Sahara Conference Awards
The final leg of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) before the playoffs concluded with the Sahara conference, and the competition continues to improve.
Two legs of BAL conference play came and went, creating palpable buzz for the final regular season showdown ahead of the playoffs: the Sahara Conference.
The teams making up this conference came ready for battle, having prepared extensively, recruited heavily and put good coaches in place. Former G League and NBA talent littered the benches of a few contending teams and every team was hungry to beat the next.
Rivers Hoopers shocked the field by dismantling everyone in their path and roaring to a first place finish in the conference.
AS Douanes was steady and hopes to compete for a second consecutive spot in the finals, having qualified as the second-ranked team in the Sahara.
It was a story of two teams for US Monastir, who became the first team in BAL history to overcome an 0-3 deficit to win out and qualify for the playoffs with a 3-3 record.
Injuries proved to be too much for APR to overcome as they lost two key players (Adonis Filer, Obadiah Noel) to significant injury at a crucial qualification stage.
Arguably the most competitive conference of the BAL, high-level talent was absolutely in abundance — making it a tough draw when selecting individual awards. See below for our team’s Sahara conference selections and breakdowns on the first team.
Sahara All-Conference Team
Will Perry🇺🇸 — Rivers Hoopers🇳🇬
18.6 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 40.0% 3PT, 100% FT
Will Perry did exactly what he was brought to Nigeria to do - shoot well. Off the dribble three pointers mixed in with movement threes off the catch gave Perry enough leverage to score efficiently inside the paint as well. He gave the ball up early too, setting his teammates up for the best shot available.
Chris Crawford🇺🇸 — US Monastir🇹🇳
19.2 PPG, 8.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 94% FT
After a rough start to the competition, going 0-3, US Monastir was on the verge of disaster. They turned things around when it mattered thanks in part to Crawford getting even more aggressive than usual. Not only did his smooth touch allow him to make tough jumpers, but he used his touch to routinely thread the needle and set the table for his teammates.
Abdoulaye Harouna🇳🇪 — AS Douanes🇸🇳
17.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.8 SPG
The gunner doesn’t need much space to put up a three and he hoisted many of them. Even if the percentages don’t reflect it, Harouna is a deadeye shooter in any situation. The sheer volume of his shots are dangerous.
Devine Eke🇳🇬— Rivers Hoopers🇳🇬
16.7 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 SPG
Devine Eke has been one of the few bright spots in Nigerian basketball this year between his national team and BAL performances. The long and athletic wing used his energy to impact the game on every side of the ball especially in driving and finishing at the basket.
Peter Olisemeka🇳🇬 — Rivers Hoopers🇳🇬
10.8 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 52.9% FG
Olisemeka thrives on doing the dirty work, averaging a double-double and routinely stuffing his stat sheet. He never gave up on plays, contesting any shot that got to his rim.
Sahara Player of the Year
Will Perry
The veteran put up the best scoring output of his three-year BAL career and commandeered an underrated Rivers Hoopers team to a first place ranking in the Sahara conference. Perry was one of the few high volume shooters in the BAL who was also incredibly efficient, finishing with shooting splits of 45-40-100 and proved that he is the best shooter in this league.
Sahara Defensive Player of the Year
Peter Olisemeka
With over three stocks per game, Peter Olisemeka stuffed the defensive side of the stat sheet. He averaged 12 total rebounds per game while getting his hands on a lot of balls on defense. Olisemeka’s play was reflected in the stellar defensive rating he averaged of 80.4
Sahara Newcomer of the Year
Devine Eke
Eke has truly been a revelation, blending his youth, athleticism and effort to give the Rivers Hoopers a scoring wing that constantly puts pressure on the rim and cuts well. His unselfish play coupled with tenacity on the glass made him an easy selection as his squad topped the standings.
Sahara Coach of the Year
Ogoh Odaudu
Leading a team with zero expectations of accomplishing anything meaningful to top arguably the toughest conference in the BAL is no small feat. The Rivers Hoops clearly had good preparation which led to good synergy on the court. Odaudu’s men played unselfishly at all positions and played with good pace, sharing the ball with one another effortlessly. This connectivity led to quality wins early and a premature qualification for the playoffs.
Sahara Honorable Mention
Kelvin Amayo🇳🇬 — Rivers Hoopers🇳🇬
14 PPG, 6.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG
Obadiah Noel🇺🇸 — APR🇷🇼
19.4 PPG, 2.4 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.8 TPG
Dario Hunt 🇺🇸 — APR🇷🇼
11.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Axel Mpoyo🇷🇼 — APR🇷🇼
12.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG
Madut Akec🇸🇸 — AS Douanes🇸🇳
13 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 50% FG