Fever pitch as BAL playoffs tip-off in Kigali

Eight of Africa’s finest basketball clubs are battling for continental glory in Kigali ahead of the BAL Finals scheduled for May 31 marking a significant milestone for the fast-growing enterprise mean to ancho basketball growth in Africa. 

Representing the breadth and diversity of African basketball are Al Ahly, Al Ahly Ly, ASC Ville de Dakar, Club Africain, Dar City, FUS Rabat, defending champions Petro de Luanda and hosts RSSB Tigers.

The playoffs come at a time when the BAL continues to experience unprecedented growth both on and off the court.

League officials revealed that BAL social media platforms generated more than 722 million views during the group phase, underlining the rapid expansion of basketball’s popularity across Africa and beyond.

Games are now broadcast in 214 countries and territories, reaching every corner of the continent.

Attendance figures have also soared this season with nearly 75,000 fans packed arenas during the Kalahari and Sahara Conference group stages in South Africa and Morocco, reflecting the league’s growing appeal among African sports enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, digital audiences continue to rise sharply, with BAL games recording a staggering 1,000 percent increase in watch time on BAL.NBA.com and the NBA App compared to last year.

On the court, the 2026 season has produced several historic milestones one of the notable ones being Craig Randall II who etched his name into the record books after scoring a BAL-record 54 points for RSSB Tigers against Dar City on April 4.

In another explosive contest, Al Ahly Ly and Dar City combined for a record 215 points in a thrilling 118-97 showdown.

Veteran stars have also continued to leave their mark on the competition highlighted by Childe Dundão who became the all-time BAL leader in minutes played after surpassing 1,073 career minutes, while Damion Baugh recorded the first triple-double ever achieved by a player in his debut BAL season.

The league’s growing stature is further highlighted by the presence of eight former NBA players, including Axel Toupane, who made history as the first NBA champion to compete in the BAL following his 2021 NBA title triumph with the Milwaukee Bucks.

While the playoffs action is intensifying in Kigali, the league has marked another significant milestone as it eyes continued growth as it bids to inspire the game’s growth in the continent.