Latest news with #AliouDiarra
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
BAL Stars Aliou Diarra And Jean Jacques Boissy Selected In NBA G-League International Draft After Dominant Seasons
PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 9: Aliou Diarra #10 of Armee Patriotique looks on during the game against ... More the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club during the 2025 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on June 9, 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kevin Couliau/NBAE via Getty Images) The Basketball Africa League (BAL) was established with a clear vision: to create a professional pathway for African talent to reach the world's premier basketball stage. This vision is coming to life as two of its brightest stars, Aliou Diarra and Jean Jacques Boissy, take significant steps towards their NBA dreams. Both players were recently selected in the NBA G-League International Draft, shortly after earning NBA Summer League opportunities. Their rise signals a pivotal moment not just for their careers, but for African basketball as a whole, proof that the BAL is emerging as a credible pipeline to the NBA's global ecosystem. From BAL Dominance to G-League Prospects Malian forward Aliou Diarra was selected first overall in the G-League International Draft by the Texas Legends, the affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Known for his dominance on both ends of the floor, Diarra was named the Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his BAL career. PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: Aliou Diarra #10 of Armee Patriotique accepts the 2025 BAL Defensive ... More Player of the Year award during the game between Al Ahli Tripoli and Petro de Luanda during the 2025 Basketball Africa League Championship on June 14, 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Julien Bacotr/NBAE via Getty Images) Diarra had a stellar 2025 campaign, helping Rwandan champions APR secure third place. He averaged 17.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, and one steal per game over eight appearances, while maintaining a 55.6% field goal percentage and posting five double-doubles. His efficiency rating was among the highest in the league at 27 per game, underscoring his impact on both ends of the court. Remarkably, despite his physical defensive style and nearly 30 minutes per game, Diarra never fouled out. He also set a BAL record with eight blocks in APR's narrow 77-74 win over Nairobi City Thunder, surpassing the previous record of seven set by Anas Mahmoud and Khaman Maluach in past seasons. In his first season, winning the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award in 2023, Diarra recorded eight double-doubles, leading Stade Malien to a third-place finish. He also earned a spot on the Milwaukee Bucks' Summer League roster that year. Now, following his call-up to the NBA Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks, his selection by the Legends positions him to continue progressing in the NBA development system. PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: Jacques Boissy #5 of Al Ahli Tripoli receives the 2025 BAL MVP after ... More winning the 2025 Basketball Africa League Championship against Petro de Luanda on June 14, 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images) Senegalese point guard Jean Jacques Boissy, the 2025 BAL Most Valuable Player and leading scorer, was drafted fifth overall by the Memphis Hustle, the G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. Boissy, who is also playing in the NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks, delivered his most impressive campaign to date with Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya. This year, Boissy was visibly in the best physical condition of his career, armed with a different psychological approach to the game that fuelled his MVP run. Coming off the bench, he averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 assists per game, leading his team with consistency and versatility. In previous BAL campaigns, Boissy was often tasked with shutting down opponents' best scorers. This season, his role shifted from game to game, and he rose to each challenge, maintaining his defensive edge while expanding his offensive repertoire. His adaptability earned him spots on both the BAL All-Defensive First Team and the BAL All-First Team, cementing his reputation as one of Africa's top two-way guards. For the Hustle, Boissy's mature playmaking, defensive tenacity, and scoring versatility could make him an immediate asset in their guard rotation, particularly as the G-League continues to prioritise developing dynamic playmakers for NBA systems. A Pivotal Year for BAL Players While BAL players have previously joined Summer League rosters, few have made a lasting impact due to limited minutes and adjustment periods. This year feels different. Diarra and Boissy arrive with major accolades, record-setting performances, and proven leadership in Africa's premier basketball competition. PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: Jacques Boissy #5 of Al Ahli Tripoli looks on after receiving the 2025 ... More BAL MVP and winning the 2025 Basketball Africa League Championship against Petro de Luanda on June 14, 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images) Their G-League draft selections, combined with NBA Summer League exposure, mark a significant milestone for the BAL as a credible pipeline for the NBA and its affiliates. It comes amid a year of growing global recognition for African basketball, following Khaman Maluach's selection as the tenth overall pick in the NBA Draft and Rueben Chinyelu's NCAA championship with the Florida Gators, both of whom spent time within NBA Academy Africa structures linked to the BAL ecosystem. What's Next? For Diarra and Boissy, their immediate focus will be on delivering strong Summer League performances to build momentum heading into their G-League seasons. Success there could open doors to training camp invites, two-way contracts, or full G-League deals that keep them firmly within NBA development pathways. As Aliou Diarra and Jean Jacques Boissy take these next steps in their professional journeys, they carry with them not only personal dreams but the aspirations of African basketball. Their achievements are a testament to what is possible when investment, opportunity, and talent align – and proof that the bridge from the BAL to the NBA is becoming stronger with every season.
Zawya
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs - APR (Rwanda) and US Monastir (Tunisia) Secure Wins in Pretoria, BAL Playoffs Set
The second day of the BAL ( Playoffs in Pretoria tipped off with defending champions Petro de Luanda (Angola) taking on APR (Rwanda), with APR coming out on top in a 75-57 win. APR's Aliou Diarra led all scorers with 19 points, along with 14 rebounds. Nuni Omot also poured in 15 points, along with six boards. Petro de Luanda's Patrick Gardner scored a team-high 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. In the second seeding game of the night, 2022 BAL champions US Monastir (Tunisia) faced off against last year's semifinalists, Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria). US Monastir emerged victorious, led by an explosive performance from former NBA Academy Africa student athlete Babacar Sane, who scored 22 points. Patrick Hardy Jr. contributed 17 points and 9 assists. Despite the loss, Rivers Hoopers' Raphael Putney delivered a game-high 28 points. Quarterfinals Set Today's games set up two remaining quarterfinals on Monday – APR vs. Rivers Hoopers, and US Monastir vs. Petro de Luanda. Tomorrow's games feature two win-or-go-home quarterfinal matchups as Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) takes on Kriol Star (Cape Verde) at 4 p.m. before Al Ittihad (Egypt) faces FUS Rabat (Morocco) at 7 p.m. CAT. The 2025 Basketball Africa League season is reaching fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages through free-to-air and paid TV broadcast partnerships, including on Canal+, ESPN, FIBA's digital platform Courtside 1891 and livestreaming on the NBA App ( and the BAL's YouTube ( channel. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Al Ahli Tripoli and APR Win Second Straight Games at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference
Jean-Jacques Boissy got 30 points, including 18 from behind the arc, Jaylen Adams added 26 points and eight assists, and Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) beat Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) 115-87 in the second day opener of the Basketball Africa League's (BAL) Nile Conference ( in Kigali, Rwanda. In the second game, APR (Rwanda) beat MBB (South Africa) 103-81. With their second straight win, Al Ahli scored the most points in one game in BAL history and outrebounded Nairobi 50-41. Nairobi was led by Uchenna Iroegbu who finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. APR were led by Aliou Diarra's 22 points and 14 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end of the floor. MBB were outrebounded once again, this time 50-38, and struggled offensively while shooting over 35 percent from the floor. They were led by Teafale Lenard Jr. who got 20 points, with Jovan Mooring adding 17 and Pieter Prinsloo adding 13. The Nile Conference returns on Tuesday when MBB takes on Nairobi City Thunder at 4 p.m. CAT, while APR faces Al Ahli at 7 p.m. CAT. The top two teams from the Nile Conference and the best third place team between Kalahari Conference's FUS Rabat (Morocco) and the third place team in the Nile Conference will advance to the BAL Playoffs and Finals which will take place at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa from June 6-14 (tickets available on POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY STANDINGS Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
