Basketball Africa League
After years of initiative and campaigns in Africa, including the league's exhibition game in South Africa, which featured Team Africa versus Team World, the NBA has announced its plans to bring a pro league earlier this year. The Basketball Africa League, as it's called, is a collaboration between the NBA and FIBA, scheduled to begin play in March 2020. The league will consist of 12 teams, and games will be hosted in cities across Africa, including Cairo; Lagos, Nigeria; Dakar, Senegal; and Rabat, Morocco. Each team will have a 16-man roster, at least 8 of whom must be citizens of their respective team's country, and only 2 of whom from outside Africa. Former President Barack Obama was reported to have direct involvement with the league's operations.
Significant progress has been made in the past several months, as the league's inaugural season approaches. Earlier this month, the Basketball Africa League held its first-ever scouting combine in Brooklyn, New York, which brought in scouts, coaches, and executives from 20 different African countries, and featured 56 athletes from around the world. A few days ago, the league's official logo was unveiled in Rwanda, who will also host their first-ever finals.
The formation of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) will lead to an efficient, continental basketball system providing countless opportunities for young Africans to play at the next level. It will provide numerous jobs within the various countries, and further cultivate talent and experience.
