Several top African players from the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have been signed by NBA teams to showcase their talents in the annual Summer League. This remarkable achievement underscores the growing influence and talent emerging from the BAL, finally highlighting the league as a vital pipeline for the NBA.
Last Updated on
July 10, 2024
Emmanuel Shine
Staff Writer
The success of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) continues to sweep the African continent and further afield. The fourth season of the BAL concluded in Kigali, Rwanda, with Angolan side Petro de Luanda crowned as champions. It is, however, the aftermath of the league that echoes louder.
It is through the BAL's relationship and pipeline with the NBA that players like Evans Ganapamo (Central African Republic and Cape Town Tigers) have been given the opportunity to play in the NBA's annual summer showcase. Additionally, last year, coach Vincent Ntunja (South Africa and Cape Town Tigers) was been given the opportunity to be part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching staff during the Summer League.
This summer, a record four players from the Basketball Africa League have been signed by various NBA franchises to compete in the 2024 Summer League.
The 2024 Basketball Africa League MVP, Lual Acuil who played with BAL debutant and finalist AL Ahly Benghazi, has already gotten his summer underway with the Sacramento Kings where he scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in his California Classic debut.
The South Sudanese forward who was also crown the 2024 BAL Defensive Player of the Season has a lot on his plate as he is also preparing for the Olympics with his native country. They are the only African nation to qualify for the Paris Olympics' basketball tournament.
Nigerian forward Devine Eke, the cousin of the WNBA legends Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike, made his BAL debut with the Rivers Hoopers this season and will participate in the Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He averaged 18.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during the fourth season of the BAL, attracting the attention of numerous teams in the NBA. Eke was also named to the All-BAL Second Team and the All-BAL Defensive Second Team.
Makhtar Gueye, a seasoned vet in the BAL and a regular for the Senegal national team, previously competed with Mozambique-based club CFV Beira in 2023 and the controversial Burundi-based team Dynamo BBC at the beginning of the 2024 BAL season before their dismissal. He is now poised to join the NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Senegalese forward, often likened to "The Senegalese Kevin Durant" for his physique and court versatility, posted averages of 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds for CFV Beira in 2023 and 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds for Dynamo.
Samkelo "I Am Buckets" Cele will represent the New York Knicks in this summer's annual showcase. The South African guard, who has enjoyed considerable success over the past two seasons with his hometown club, the Cape Town Tigers, was named to the 2024 All-BAL First Team and the 2024 All-BAL Defensive First Team.
These honours were well-deserved, particularly after his clutch shot to send the Tigers's game against FUS Rabat to overtime. His numerous defensive stops throughout the season have been instrumental in the Tigers's success.
All four players aim to make a significant impact on the NBA platform and proudly represent Africa this summer. Their ultimate goal is to secure long-term, life-changing contracts with NBA teams or, at the very least, G-League teams for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Is this the turning point in African basketball that will plant the seeds for a brighter future for young and aspiring players? Only time will tell.
[Photography Imagery Courtesy of The Basketball Africa League / ESPN Africa / The BigTip Off]
[Videos Courtesy of The Basketball Africa League / The Diaspora Drop]
