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Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Luol Deng Talks The BAL's Growth And Building A Lasting Impact Across Africa
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Luol Deng with his OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) after ... More an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on July 7, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Fuller - Pool/Getty Images) When the Basketball Africa League (BAL) tipped off its inaugural season in 2021, it set in motion a transformative movement. Backed by the NBA and FIBA, the BAL represented a bold bet on Africa's basketball ecosystem. Today, it's delivering on that promise with momentum, meaning, and their strong message: Inspire, Empower, Elevate. Few have championed this vision more than the league's earliest ambassadors, including former NBA All-Star and South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Deng, who has been deeply embedded in the BAL's evolution. His reflections on the league's growth are rooted in both lived experience and long-term vision. In an interview with during the Nile Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Deng discussed several key topics. He highlighted the growth of the league and the heightened level of competition. Additionally, he emphasised the league's social impact initiatives aimed at empowering players. Deng also shared details about an exciting new chapter for the league: hosting the Playoffs in Pretoria, South Africa. A general view of the final game of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference between ASC ... More Ville de Dakar and Union Sportive Monastirienne at the Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, on May 4, 2025. ASC Ville de Dakar participated for the first time in the Africa Basketball League (BAL) after winning the Senegal championship in 2024, during the Sahara Conference against teams from Tunisia, Angola and Cape Verde. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) that brings together 12 teams showcasing some of the best players from across the continent. Rabat and Dakar have already hosted their respective conferences with Kigali hosting the Nile Conference on May 2025. The finals will take place in Pretoria on June 2025. (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT/AFP via Getty Images) Deng understands the power of a platform better than most. Having transitioned from NBA stardom to executive leadership, he has witnessed how professional infrastructure can benefit not only elite athletes but also entire economies. But that kind of transformation, he insists, doesn't happen overnight. 'The BAL has been growing every year. I think a lot of people are just catching on now that it's becoming more popular, but it really started over a decade ago, running outdoor camps, investing in the youth," Deng says. "The BAL is a result of that early work.' Those early investments in community development and youth engagement laid the foundation for what is now a thriving professional ecosystem. And for Deng, the most striking shift is that basketball in Africa has become a viable career path. 'Now we have players making a living through basketball, in Africa. That wasn't the case before,' he says. 'This league has elevated standards. It's televised, it's organised, and most importantly, it's sustainable.' The BAL's multinational format, with teams representing countries across the continent, offers more than just competition. It fosters national pride, strengthens regional economies, and amplifies the continent's visibility on a global stage. The 2025 BAL season will reach fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages through broadcast partnerships and streaming platforms, a scope unheard of in previous decades for the sport on the continent. KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 20: Robinson Opong Odoch #5 of Made by Basketball scores the game-winning three ... More point basket during the game against Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference Group on May 20, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images) One of the most striking shifts in this season's BAL has been the level of parity across the league. The era of one team dominating the field is over. Now, every matchup feels like a playoff game. 'This year, almost every game goes down to the fourth quarter,' Deng observes. 'It speaks to how teams are evolving. There's intention behind every roster move now.' That competitive evolution is more than just exciting, it carries real financial weight. It translates into higher-quality basketball, stronger viewership, more compelling storylines, and deeper investment interest. Still, Deng is quick to point out that the league's long-term success won't hinge solely on talent or tight scores. What truly matters is the work happening behind the curtain; the strategy, structure, and systems being built by the teams themselves. 'We always talk about the talent, but the system matters,' he says. 'Teams are getting smarter about how they build rosters, not just chasing names, but asking: What do we need to compete at the highest level?' 'What you're seeing now is that teams are understanding the business side of the sport. Talent alone doesn't build a brand. You need cohesion, development, and leadership.' KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 27: Luol Deng and Joakim Noah attend the game between the A.S. Douanes and the ... More Petroleos De Luanda during the 2024 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on May 27, 2024 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Couliau/NBAE via Getty Images) For Deng, the BAL's biggest value isn't just what it offers players during their careers, but what it prepares them for after. Through BAL Advance, the league provides mentorship in areas like entrepreneurship, branding, and financial planning, which Deng considers non-negotiable. 'I always tell players: basketball is not forever. Start building relationships now. Learn something beyond the game,' he says. 'A lot of guys leave the court with nothing because they didn't plan. This league is giving them a head start.' This advice is rooted in his post-career success. Deng has built a respected portfolio as an investor, advisor, and sports executive, and he's intent on passing that blueprint forward. 'Wherever you start, whether in Africa or elsewhere, begin learning. Use your platform while you have it.' While the BAL was launched with NBA backing, the involvement of individual players, alumni, and executives is only now beginning to scale. According to Deng, that's no coincidence. 'The NBA is watching closely. Guys see how well this is run, how talented the players are, and they want in,' he explains. 'You're going to see more investment from current and former players, not just as sponsors or fans, but as owners, mentors, and stakeholders.' This season, the league paid tribute to NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, a monumental figure in African basketball history. Honouring his legacy, all player jerseys and select warm-up gear featured a 'DM55' patch, and moments of silence were held before each conference group phase. Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was the NBA's first global ambassador after retiring in 2009. His tireless advocacy and passion for growing the game across Africa were foundational to the BAL's creation and ongoing success. RABAT, MOROCCO - APRIL 10: Patch honoring Dikembe Mutombo during the game between the FUS de Rabat ... More and Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club during the Kalahari Conference during the 2025 Basketball Africa League Media Day on April 8, 2025 Rabat, Morocco. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images) The decision to host the 2024 BAL Finals in Pretoria, from the 6th - 14th of June, marks a symbolic shift. After four seasons in Kigali, the league is making a statement: this is a pan-African project, and every country has a role to play. 'It's huge,' Deng says. 'South Africa has a lot to offer and this will challenge them to step up not just on the court, but in fan engagement, media, and event production.' Pretoria also serves as a crucial test for the league's expansion ambitions. The question is: can the BAL Finals evolve into a multi-city celebration of African basketball and culture, on the scale of major global sporting events like the UEFA Champions League final or NBA All-Star Weekend? 'If Pretoria delivers, it sets a new standard, and shows that any African country with infrastructure and ambition can host on this level.' TOPSHOT - (From L) South Sudan's #11 Marial Shayok, South Sudan's #10 Jt Thor, South Sudan's #13 ... More Majok Deng, South Sudan's #26 Sunday Dech, South Sudan's #14 Peter Jok and South Sudan's #09 Wenyen Gabriel acknowledge the public at the end of the men's preliminary round group C basketball match between South Sudan and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) Luol Deng's dedication to basketball is inseparable from his deep national pride. As President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, he has been instrumental in reshaping the country's basketball story, guiding a nation emerging from conflict to its historic 2024 Paris Olympic run. Deng's leadership has not only raised South Sudan's profile on the world stage but also ignited hope and unity for a generation of young South Sudanese still healing from years of turmoil. 'We weren't just representing South Sudan at the World Cup. We were representing the continent,' Deng says. 'Our journey proves what's possible with vision, unity, and belief.' Looking ahead to AfroBasket 2025 slated for this summer in Angola, Deng sees a continent brimming with potential. 'There are seven, maybe eight African teams right now capable of competing at the highest international level,' he notes. 'That excites me because when Africa rises as one, the world takes notice.' The convergence of global capital, media rights, and emerging markets within sports is reshaping the industry, and Africa is at the forefront of this transformation. With a rapidly growing youth population and surging digital engagement, the continent is not just participating in the global sports economy; it's actively redefining it. The BAL stands as a powerful example of this shift, where strategic investment, innovative broadcasting partnerships, and local passion come together to create a new model for sports development. For investors, brands, and fans alike, Africa's rising momentum signals a market full of untapped potential and lasting opportunity.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA／湯普森雙胞胎擬轉籍牙買加 有望攜手鮑威爾出戰國際賽
火箭隊的湯普森（Amen Thompson）與效力活塞的弟弟湯普森（Ausar Thompson）兩雙胞胎兄弟近日展開申請牙買加國籍的程序，未來有望代表牙買加國家隊征戰國際賽場。由於兩人的父親具有牙買加血統，讓兩兄弟擁有申請該國國籍的資格。若入籍順利完成，兩人將能代表牙買加參加FIBA等國際賽事。 牙買加國家隊近年積極補強陣容，據報導，已成功爭取快艇隊得分後衛鮑威爾（Norman Powell）承諾加入，準備出戰未來FIBA賽事。除了鮑威爾外，牙買加也正在積極招募其他具牙買加血統的NBA球員，包括太陽隊中鋒理查茲（Nick Richards）、活塞隊內線史都華（Isaiah Stewart），以及灰狼隊前鋒米諾特（Josh Minott）。 若招募成果順利，牙買加隊有望成為中北美區一支不可忽視的新興強權。從具潛力新星到即戰力老將，牙買加正試圖打造具備深度與競爭力的國家隊陣容，在國際舞台上展現全新戰力輪廓。 Amen and Ausar Thompson plan to represent Jamaica in future FIBA and Olympic competitions, per @ dope. 🇯🇲 — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) 2025年5月25日 Norman Powell has committed to representing Jamaica in the FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers 🇯🇲🔥(h/t @BASKETBALLonX ) — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) 2025年4月11日 更多udn報導 中職明星賽／宋晟睿呼籲象迷投其他隊也可以 學長笑答：你不錯喔！ 中職專欄／高中缺大物、旅外掛零 選秀度小年「大社球員」扮主角 MLB／首度實戰投打飆156公里 大谷翔平賞2K拉弓、搞笑開心 NBA／唐斯末節開無雙拯救尼克 布朗森關鍵進球逆轉溜馬
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I'd probably score 84 or 85" - Gilbert Arenas admits he dreamed about revenge game vs. Duke after 2004 Team USA snub
Fans and analysts love to speculate about hypothetical matchups. Many people are curious about how a certain player would perform against a particular team. In late January 2007, Gilbert Arenas was asked a similar question — how he, as an NBA player in his sixth season, would fare against the Duke Blue Devils roster at that time. Staying true to his confident style, "Agent Zero" gave a bold answer. Arenas felt snubbed It helps to look back at the summer of 2006 to really understand why Arenas mentioned that specific hypothetical matchup. Advertisement Back then, Team USA was led by a special coaching trio, each with their own head coaching jobs during the regular season. Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University led the team, assisted by Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns and Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers. When the final roster for the 2006 FIBA World Championship was announced, Washington Wizards playmaker wasn't on the list. Many thought this decision was fair, considering the amount of top talent in the country. However, others — including Gil himself — saw his exclusion as a clear snub. Feeling overlooked but determined to prove his value, the reigning All-Star set a personal goal: to dominate every NBA team coached by those who had left him off the national squad that won the bronze medal in Japan while he had to stay home. Related: Michael Jordan told Phil Jackson that Scottie Pippen was the second-best player on the 1992 Dream Team: "He was a legitimate star" Arenas' revenge "Agent Zero's" personal vendetta began to take shape when he scored 54 points on 21-of-37 shooting against the Suns on December 22, 2006. Advertisement That incredible performance — Gil's second-highest NBA scoring game — did not go unnoticed. Afterward, D'Antoni made a clever comment, aware of how upset Arenas still was about being left off the Team USA roster. He joked that if Hibachi already took such revenge on him — then only an assistant coach for Team USA — he wondered what the 6'4" point guard would do against Duke, saying he'd "absolutely dominate" Coach K's team. Reflecting on this, Arenas wrote in an blog that if he could change anything, he would gladly give up an entire NBA season just to play one college game against the 2006-07 Blue Devils, who had players like Josh McRoberts, Gerald Henderson Jr. and Jon Scheyer. "One college game that's five fouls, right?... 40-minute game at Duke, they got soft rims I'd probably score 84 or 85," quipped Arenas, per ESPN. "I wouldn't pass the ball. I wouldn't even think about passing it. It would be like a NBA Live or an NBA 2k7 game, you just shoot with one person." Advertisement For context, the highest single-game scoring record in NCAA history belongs to former Division III's Jack Taylor, who scored 138 points for Grinnell College on November 20, 2012. Although the Duke vs. Wizards matchup never happened, the now 43-year-old got his chance for revenge in two games against the Suns and two against the Blazers under coach McMillan that year. While Arenas averaged a blazing 42.5 points per contest against Phoenix, his scoring dropped to just 14.0 points against Portland, showing that his vendetta was somewhat one-sided. Related: "He has all the shooters on the bench" - Gilbert Arenas on why he knew Team USA wouldn't win gold in the '06 FIBA WC
CBC
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
FIBA 3x3 Men's World Cup Qualifier Baku: Canada vs. Rwanda
Watch Canada take on Rwanda from the FIBA 3x3 men's world cup qualifier from Baku, Azerbaijan.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center
Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center Wisconsin women's basketball landed a commitment from Croatian center Dorja Zaja on Friday. At 6-foot-3, Zaja joins the Badgers after suiting up for Croatia in FIBA's 2024 U20 Women's EuroBasket action. She played in six contests during the 2024 slate and averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per appearance. She also denied 15 shot attempts and snared 32 defensive boards as an anchor in the paint. In addition to her FIBA action, Zaja laced up for Tresnjevka in the Croatia-Premijer League. In 25 regular-season games, the future Badger accounted for 9.4 tallies in just under 21 minutes per contest. Zaja is currently playing in the postseason for Tresnjevka before traveling to Madison. Zaja is Wisconsin's seventh commitment under new head coach Robin Pingeton this offseason, following Illinois forward Shay Bollin, Stony Brook guard Breauna Ware, Howard guard Destiny Howell, NC State guard Laci Steele, Southern Illinois forward Gift Uchenna and Missouri State guard Kyrah Daniels, all of whom were transfer portal additions. While the Badgers' portal activity is encouraging for fans, the team needed to address the center position following the departure of standout forwards Serah Williams and Carter McCray following the season. Uchenna, Bollin and Zaja now figure to pick up those front-court minutes during the 2025-26 slate. Pingeton, who was hired following the resignation of coach Marisa Moseley this spring, has now finalized her roster for the 2025-26 season. The program experienced significant turnover after nearly every member of its 2024-25 roster departed via the transfer portal or graduation. Without Williams, arguably the greatest player to ever play for Wisconsin's program, the Badgers will ignite a new era of hoops under Pingeton. UW will look to improve on a 13-17 output last season, which also included a 4-14 record in Big Ten action. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
