ESPN provides a comprehensive guide to the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL), affiliated with the NBA. Stay informed with the latest news, game scores, and exclusive player interviews throughout the league.
In June 2025, South Africa will host the BAL playoffs and finals, taking over from Kigali, Rwanda, which usually hosts the finals. Morocco joins as a new host country, while Egypt is no longer a host.
Dates and Locations:
- Kalahari Conference – Rabat, Morocco – April 5-13
- Sahara Conference – Dakar, Senegal – April 26 – May 4
- Nile Conference – Kigali, Rwanda – May 17-25
- Playoffs and Finals – Pretoria, South Africa – June 6-14
Teams:
Kalahari Conference: Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), FUS Rabat (Morocco – hosts), Stade Malien (Mali), Al Ittihad (Egypt).
Sahara Conference: Petro de Luanda (Angola – defending champion), US Monastir (Tunisia – 2022 champion), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal – hosts), Kriol Star (Cape Verde).
Nile Conference: APR (Rwanda – hosts), Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), MBB (South Africa), Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya) – MBB and Al Ahly Tripoli are debutants.
READ: ESPN`s guide to all 12 BAL 2025 teams
Match Reports:
FUS Rabat, as hosts, lost their opening game to Al Ittihad of Egypt.
Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria secured a victory against Stade Malien in their season 5 opener.
News:
Rivers Hoopers from Nigeria to commence the Kalahari Conference in Morocco.
MBB appoints former Mavs assistant coach Sam Vincent as Head Coach.
Pieter Prinsloo from South Africa aims for a BAL spot following his REG period.
South Africa will host the BAL finals in 2025.
Interviews:
Rivers Hoopers coach Odaudu emphasizes that anything less than reaching the Finals will be considered a failure.
Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria are determined to surpass their 2024 BAL performance, where they finished third.
Rivers Hoopers are aiming higher than just another BAL participation award.
After achieving third place in the previous BAL tournament, Nigeria`s Rivers Hoopers are striving to reach and potentially win the Final in the upcoming tournament. They qualified for the 2025 edition by winning their sixth national championship, defeating Hoops and Read 71-54 in the 2024 NBBF Final 8 title game.
