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NBA executives are expected to connect with African government leaders during the United Nations General Assembly this week, sources told SBJ, as the league advances its incremental plan to sell as many as 10 permanent Basketball Africa League franchises to private investors. Sources said initial bids in June emanated from markets such as Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, with multiple offers exceeding $50M -- believed to be the largest proposed investments into basketball on the continent. The NBA’s apparent goal during this week’s UN General Assembly in N.Y. that begins Tuesday is to discuss its BAL vision with those government officials across Africa and, afterward, advance talks with priority bidders. In its six-year existence, the BAL has been a caravan-styled league co-operated by NBA Africa and FIBA, with 12 teams from 12 African nations qualifying on an annual basis. But sources said the expectation -- as the purchase process evolves this year -- is to gradually add permanent franchises starting with the 2027 touring season. The BAL would eventually wind up with 10 privately-owned teams in ensuing years and launch a home-and-away template, with the league’s 11th and 12th teams still qualifying annually.
According to sources, the sense is that the permanent franchises will consist of teams that have already competed in the BAL; teams that have yet to qualify for the league; teams launched from scratch by outside investors; or soccer clubs/brands that will launch their first basketball squads. The NBA and FIBA have already hired investment bank Moelis & Company to manage the purchase process and vet prospective buyers, with sources saying they will prioritize markets with infrastructure readiness, financial wherewithal, sports management expertise and an overall ability to develop and operate a successful franchise.
Those sources said the NBA is headed to the franchise model due to sustained BAL growth over the past six years, including 2026 records in attendance, viewership and social media engagement. Specifically, BAL data has shown that over 110,000 fans attended BAL games in the markets of South Africa, Morocco and Rwanda and that BAL contests reached fans in more than 200 countries and territories, including all 54 countries in Africa.
The road to a Basketball Africa League title will ultimately go through Kigali, Rwanda, this upcoming season. The 2026 BAL season will debut on March 27 in Pretoria, South Africa, with the championship game taking place in Kigali on May 31. There will be preliminary action with six teams in Pretoria from March 27-April 5 and six teams in Rabat, Morocco, from April 24-May 3. The eight-team BAL playoffs and a championship game will take place in Kigali from May 22-31. The 12 participating teams will be announced at a later date.
“Returning to South Africa, Morocco and Rwanda for our sixth season speaks to the strong sporting cultures and rapidly growing basketball ecosystems in those countries,” BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall said in a statement. “The BAL continues to inspire fans across the continent and drive opportunities and global recognition for African talent. “We look forward to welcoming fans to BAL games in all three markets and to showcasing incredible competition and energy on and off the court to a global audience when the season tips off.”
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Marc J. Spears: Basketball Africa League playoffs move to South Africa in 2025. Fifth season of BAL will tip off in Morocco. bit.ly/4fYCYnK
Noah’s father, former French tennis star Yannick Noah, took him to visit their family’s native Cameroon when he was a child. In recent years, Joakim Noah has built basketball courts in Cameroon and Nigeria. Through the BAL, he is helping build the foundation to develop African basketball players, coaches, referees and venues. “It’s just important being able to work with BAL,” Noah said. “The beauty is just really traveling all around the continent. And South Africa is a special place. It’s a charged place. It’s the land of the Zulus, Zulu warriors. Heavy history, a history of real revolutionaries. What made me join BAL is the leadership, first and foremost. That’s what I was the most excited about. “[BAL president] Amadou [Fall] is somebody that I trust and I believe in. He came to my village in Cameroon early in my career for my first [basketball] camp. He didn’t have to do that. This is way before BAL. This is just supporting my village where my father’s from, my roots, and I remember him speaking to the kids and I was like, ‘OK, this guy’s a real leader with a real vision.’ And for this opportunity to happen as soon as I retired from basketball, I feel more purpose now than I did when I played because of this opportunity.”
For Khaman Maluach, who will be in South Africa on Tuesday, being a part of the NBA Academy Africa has been life-changing. And while signing with Duke brought major attention to him, he remains humble and focused on what it will take to get to the NBA. “Going to Duke is a big thing. I’m excited,” Maluach told Andscape in a phone interview. “I’m going to a great place. A great program. But at the same time, I got to stay humble and stay low-key. I stay committed to my goal. At the end of the day, I have to do my job. And my job is to get better every day in the gym, work hard, play well at Duke and the next level in the NBA”.
Are you involved in the game anymore? What’s next for you? Thabo Sefolosha: “I actually ran for the presidency of the Swiss (basketball) federation. It didn’t go through. We had some ups and downs. So, right now I’m less involved with that, but still involved with the game and helping players and helping coaches. I feel like I’m a big-time veteran in Switzerland when you’re talking about basketball. I try to provide a little of that and help the game grow. Other than that, try to do the same thing in South Africa where I’m from. The game is growing there, so I’m spending a little bit of time focusing on that.”
Anthony Chiang: While speaking to reporters at his youth camp in Miami, Bam Adebayo said he almost was eaten by a lion during his recent trip to South Africa. Oh, and he also spoke about his relationship with Damian Lillard. Story coming soon …
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Most 20-year-olds would be content with 137 regular season NBA appearances, 26 playoff appearances and a championship ring over the course of two seasons, but Kuminga feels he has not yet lived up to others' expectations of superstardom. Kuminga told ESPN at the Basketball without Borders camp in South Africa: "This upcoming season is definitely the year. "A lot of people are expecting so much from me - and myself; I'm expecting a lot. It's a lot of pressure, but I don't really pay attention to the noise. "The pressure is always going to be there. It's just [on] me to go out there and perform."
Some campers have been dealing with similar expectations to Kuminga. Indeed, last year's MVP, Thierry Darlan, who currently plays for Kuminga's old team, G League Ignite, is widely expected to be a first round 2024 draft pick. Kuminga said that he hoped to be the mentor he once needed and help prepare Darlan, who was also coaching at the camp, for the weight he would carry on his shoulders in upcoming years. "I actually want to get some time with him and not really mentor him, but tell him what it's about with Ignite, what it's about to get drafted and be an NBA player at a young age," Kuminga said.
Cody Taylor: The NBA and FIBA announced 80 of the top high-school-age prospects from across Africa will participate in the 19th Basketball Without Borders Africa on July 28-31 in South Africa. The campers will be coached by Bam Adebayo, Darius Garland, Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Suggs.
Sean Cunningham: Kings coach Mike Brown says Luke Loucks will coach the Summer League squad. Brown will also participate in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in South Africa during the offseason.