Latest news with #AmadouGalloFall
The South African
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Africa's basketball revolution captured in new docuseries
The documentary series Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) is set to make its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The Festival will take place on 8 September 2025. This significant event marks a major milestone in chronicling the rise of a basketball league that has transformed the sports landscape across Africa. Co-directed by Tebogo Malope and co-produced by Akin Omotoso, Origin captures the journey of the BAL. BAL is the NBA's first collaboration to operate a league outside North America. The series follows the league's inaugural season and playoff tournament, featuring 12 top club teams from the continent. The BAL is the brainchild of visionaries Amadou Gallo Fall, the league's president, and Masai Ujiri, the co-founder of Giants of Africa and a former executive of the Toronto Raptors. Together, they realised a decades-long ambition to establish elite basketball competition across Africa. 'For Africa, this league is more than sport, it's a symbol of belief and resilience,' Ujiri stated. 'It elevates African talent to the global stage. I'm proud this journey will reach the world through this series.' His words will deeply resonate with South African audiences, who have watched the league's growth firsthand in Pretoria and beyond. The BAL's fifth season playoffs and finals were held at SunBet Arena in Pretoria in June 2025. It drew in notable South African media figures, artists, and former NBA stars such as Tracy McGrady. The guests illustrated the league's growing prestige and the significance of basketball as a unifier across African cultures and communities. Amadou Gallo Fall described the BAL as 'the culmination of decades of work' between the NBA and FIBA. Their goal is to provide African players with a clear pathway to develop their talent. 'We are grateful to the filmmakers for documenting the league's historic impact on lives and economies across the continent,' he said. The documentary not only highlights the league's sporting achievements but also explores its wider socio-economic influence. It touches on how basketball is building bridges between Africa and North America, fostering two-way opportunities for players and entrepreneurs alike. The series also features exclusive interviews with key figures such as former US President Barack Obama, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. NBA champion Pascal Siakam from Cameroon and South African-linked Grammy-winning artist and BAL player J. Cole will also make appearances. Richard Brown, the documentary's executive producer and co-director, expressed pride in telling stories that transcend basketball. 'From Dakar to Kigali and Lagos to Cairo, the BAL reflects the hopes of a dynamic generation of young Africans. It symbolises the continent's limitless potential.' For South Africa, a country with a rich sporting heritage and vibrant basketball culture, Origin promises to be a powerful testament to the continent's new sporting era. Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League presents a vivid, compelling portrait of African basketball's rise. It honours the passion and perseverance that built the BAL and positions South Africa as a key stage in its extraordinary journey. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Libya's Alahli Tripoli Crowned 2025 Basketball Africa League Champions
Libya's Alahli Tripoli today defeated Angola's Petro de Luanda 88-67 to win the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) ( Championship, which took place at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, and reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages. Alahli Tripoli, which made its BAL debut this season, is the first team from Libya to win the BAL Championship. A record 141,564 fans attended games over the course of the BAL's milestone fifth season. Following the game, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented Alahli Tripoli with the BAL Championship Trophy and Alahli Tripoli forward Jean Jacques Boissy with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2025 BAL Most Valuable Player Award. For the first time in BAL history, the 2025 champions received championship rings ( following a tradition long associated with global basketball excellence. Alahli Tripoli went 9-1 during the Nile Conference group phase in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Playoffs, defeating Cape Verde's Kriol Star and Rwanda's APR in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Finals. Alahli Tripoli is the first team in league history to win both its conference and the championship in the same season. APR defeated Egypt's Al Ittihad 123–90 in the third-place game yesterday, setting a league record for the most points scored in a single game. Boissy is also the 2025 BAL Scoring Champion and was named to the 2025 All-BAL First Team and the 2025 All-BAL Defensive Team, recording per game averages of 18.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.9 assists. Several former NBA players attended games during the 2025 BAL Playoffs and Finals, including 2014 NBA champion Boris Diaw (France; ties to Senegal), seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady (U.S.), BAL Ambassadors and NBA Africa investors Luol Deng (South Sudan), Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin) and Joakim Noah (grandfather from Cameroon), 2015 FIBA AfroBasket champion Olumide Oyedeji (Nigeria), former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania) and former NBA player and Olympian Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana). The BAL has also announced the Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sportsmanship Award winner, All-BAL First Team, All-BAL Defensive Team, and Ubuntu Award winner. The voting panels varied for each award and comprised fans, coaches, team captains, media, broadcasters, and scouts. 2025 BAL Coach of the Year Alahli Tripoli head coach Abou Chacra Joseph Fouad led his team to a BAL Championship with a 9-1 record during the Nile Conference group phase and the Playoffs. 2025 Defensive Player of the Year APR center Aliou Diarra won The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy as the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. Diarra led APR to a 6-4 record during the Nile Conference group phase, and the Playoffs, averaging 17.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks in 10 games this season. He is the first player in league history to win the award twice, having previously received the honor in 2023 with Stade Malien (Mali). Diarra was also named to the All-BAL First Team. 2025 BAL Sportsmanship Award Petro de Luanda (Angola) guard Souleyman Diabate received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie. 2025 All-BAL First Team Position Player Team Guard Jean Jacques Boissy Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard Jaylen Adams Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard / Forward Majok Machar Deng Al Ittihad (Egypt) Forward Patrick Gardner Jr. Petro de Luanda (Angola) Forward / Center Aliou Diarra APR (Rwanda) 2025 All-BAL Defensive Team Position Player Team Guard Jean Jacques Boissy Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard Obadiah Noel APR (Rwanda) Guard / Forward Caleb Agada Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Forward Teafale Lenard Jr. Made by Basketball (MBB; South Africa) Forward / Center Aliou Diarra APR (Rwanda) 2025 BAL Ubuntu Award Kriol Star Basketball (Cape Verde) guard Joel Almeida won the 2025 BAL Ubuntu Award in recognition of his ongoing efforts to use the game of basketball to positively impact the lives of youth in his native Cape Verde. Over the past year, Almeida organized basketball camps and clinics that reached more than 100 aspiring players and coaches, including from underserved communities. Almeida was presented with the 2025 BAL Ubuntu Trophy during an on-court ceremony on Wednesday, June 11. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Basketball Africa league Announces Collaboration with Wave Senegal and Wave Cote d'Ivoire
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) ( and Wave, Africa's fastest-growing mobile money platform, have joined forces to elevate the fan experience and make basketball more accessible in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. The collaboration will introduce a series of engaging initiatives designed to bring communities closer to the game in conjunction with the 2025 BAL season. Leading up to the BAL's Sahara Conference group phase that will take place from Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, May 4, at the Dakar Arena in Senegal, the BAL and Wave will host a 5-on-5 streetball basketball tournament in Dakar for eight teams of male players. The tournament will tip off on Saturday, March 22 and culminate with a championship game in early May. The eight teams will be comprised of four teams selected by the Senegalese Basketball Federation and four open spots. Registration for the open spots is open now here ( after which a selection committee will review the applications and determine the four participating teams. In addition to promoting local competition, Wave is dedicated to enhancing the BAL experience by making it more accessible and rewarding for fans. Wave users will have the opportunity to earn exclusive rewards, gifts, and other exciting perks through the Wave App rewards program, allowing more people to engage with the excitement of the BAL. Wave users can take advantage of exclusive offers on tickets for the BAL games in Dakar, which are available for purchase now at and The marketing partnership extends beyond Senegal and will also bring impactful initiatives to Côte d'Ivoire. In September 2025, Wave and the BAL will unveil a newly refurbished basketball court in Abidjan, offering young athletes a modern and inspiring space to develop their skills. In addition to the unveiling, the BAL and Wave will organize a training camp at the court for local youth. Additionally, one lucky Wave user from Côte d'Ivoire will win an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa to attend the 2025 BAL Finals in Pretoria on June 14, where they will have the opportunity to experience the culmination of the BAL season. 'Our collaboration with Wave is part of our commitment to make the BAL and basketball more accessible across the continent,' said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. 'We look forward to working together to provide more opportunities for youth, players and fans in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire to engage with the game and our league.' Echoing this sentiment, Wave Senegal General Director El Hadji Malick Guèye highlighted the synergy between basketball and financial inclusion, stating, 'This marketing partnership with the BAL aligns perfectly with Wave's ambition to expand access to essential services, both in finance and culture. As we revolutionized digital payments in the transport sector, we believe that supporting basketball can be a powerful driver of change. By making the BAL more accessible and launching community-driven initiatives, we reinforce our commitment to a cashless, inclusive, and connected Africa.' Katier Bamba, Wave Côte d'Ivoire General Director, emphasized the collaboration's local significance: 'Basketball is a growing passion in Côte d'Ivoire, and we are thrilled to work with the BAL to provide opportunities that will leave a lasting impact on the community. The court refurbishment in Abidjan will not only give young athletes a professional-grade space to develop their skills but also serve as a hub for local engagement and youth empowerment. Our commitment to financial inclusion extends beyond digital payments; it's about creating experiences and opportunities that uplift entire communities.' The Sahara Conference group phase will feature home team ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), defending BAL champion Petro de Luanda (Angola), first-time BAL participant Kriol Star (Cape Verde) and 2022 BAL champion US Monastir (Tunisia). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL). El Hadji Serigne Falilou Mback CISSE, Wave +221 77 484 98 87 Yasmina Ndella Bileoma, Wave +221 77 555 49 53 yasmina@ Fans can follow the BAL (@ theBAL) on: Facebook: Instagram: Threads: X: YouTube: Register their interest in receiving more information at About the BAL: The Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that will tip off its fifth season in April 2025. Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, the BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Africa has organized across the continent and marks the NBA's first collaboration to operate a league outside North America. About WAVE: Wave Mobile Money is Africa's fastest-growing mobile money product. Wave is using technology to build a radically inclusive and extremely affordable financial network. Our ambition is to make Africa the first cashless continent in the world. Wave is operating in seven countries (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mali,&Burkina Faso). You can learn more at
