Latest news with #JeanJacquesBoissy
Globe and Mail
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Ivan Almeida and Other BAL Standouts Who Deserve a Summer League Shot
BAL stars shined in 2025, but 36-year-old Ivan Almeida stood out. A leader on and off the court, he proves age doesn't define value. He deserves a spot in NBA Summer League. As the 2025 BAL season concluded, the spotlight on incredible African talent grew brighter. With the NBA Summer League set for July 10–20 in Las Vegas, several BAL athletes — rising stars and seasoned pros — have made a compelling case for inclusion: Jean Jacques Boissy (Al Ahli Tripoli): BAL champion, 2025 MVP, scoring and defensive leader: An elite two-way guard with poise and measurable upside. Babacar Sané (US Monastir): An explosive wing and former Ignite/G-League prospect, named All‑BAL Second Team and reportedly headed to Summer League with Minnesota. Aliou Diarra (APR): Two‑time Defensive Player of the Year, league‑leading rebounder and rim protector with a 55.7% FG rate — ready for higher-level competition. Majok Deng (Al Ittihad Alexandria): A stretch forward with modern versatility — shooting, defense, and clutch play — named to All‑BAL First Team. Taefale Lenard Jr. (MBB): A dynamic, two‑way wing already in All‑BAL First and Defensive Teams — brings energy and athleticism. Mohamed Sadi (Al Ahli Tripoli): Two‑way guard with composure and defensive acumen, earning All‑BAL Second and Defensive Team honors. But standing out most of all is Ivan Almeida, the Cape-Verdian athlete whose impact defies his age. Why Almeida Belongs in Vegas • Ever‑present leader: At 36, he led not only in minutes per game (37.5) — the most in BAL this season — but also anchored Kriol Star on both ends of the floor, defensively and offensively. • He is a statistical all‑rounder: Averaged 17.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, and led the league with 48 free throws made (81.4%). He even notched his first-career triple-double, while juggling four positions in a short‑handed roster. • Almeida's leadership is inspiring: A co‑founder, with his brother and teammate Joel, of Kriol Star — a team rooted in charity and community transformation. That mission-driven foundation underscores leadership beyond the court. • Breaking conventional barriers: Summer League is traditionally a showcase for youth. Almeida's inclusion would send a bold message: performance, heart, and leadership remain valuable, no matter the age. From Boissy's two-way dominance to Diarra's rim protection, and Lenard Jr.'s versatility, the BAL is packed with players deserving of NBA attention. But Almeida isn't just another athlete: He's a symbol of resilience, versatility, and purpose. If the Summer League champions excellence and if it's meant to recognize both potential and performance, then inviting Ivan Almeida would be more than a reward. It would be a statement. Because basketball isn't just about where you're going. It's also about how far you've come and who you uplift along the way.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Boris Diaw Feels The Pulse Of The BAL's Fifth Season As Al Ahli Tripoli Make Their Mark
PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: Al Ahli Tripoli celebrates after winning the 2025 BAL Championship ... More against 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) Al Ahli Tripoli made history in Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), defeating defending champions Petro de Luanda 88–67 in the final to become the first team from the Road to BAL qualifiers to claim the title. It was a season of many firsts, a conference winner went on to win the championship, and for the first time, a BAL Coach of the Year, Fouad Chacra led his team to the title. At the heart of Al Ahli's triumphant campaign was Jean Jacques Boissy, who was named the 2025 BAL Most Valuable Player, while also claiming the Scoring Title with an average of 18.7 points per game. Boissy anchored the team on both ends, earning selections to the All-BAL First Team and All-Defensive First Team, a rare trifecta that reflects his all-around dominance. As the confetti settled inside Pretoria's SunBet Arena, the venue buzzed with the unmistakable energy of a league that's beginning to embed itself into the global basketball consciousness. The atmosphere spoke volumes, about the growing appetite for the game, the hunger of emerging stars, and the potential for the BAL to not only grow within the continent but also to become a destination of choice for talent around the world. Among those witnessing it all for the first time in person was Boris Diaw, a former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, longtime French national team player, and general manager of team France. Despite being familiar with the BAL from its inception through his relationship with BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall, this was his first time experiencing it court side. 'It's the first time I'm coming, actually, to the BAL. It's the fifth edition every time before, I couldn't make it. So I'm really happy that I was able to make it after five years,' Diaw shared with during the playoffs in Pretoria. What stood out to Diaw wasn't just the skill level, but the emotional stakes. 'You can tell they really want it,' he said, reflecting on what struck him most. 'You can feel the tension on the court. That's what I love, that's what playoff basketball is about.' He added: 'In some leagues, players show up and they're just mercenaries. But here, everybody is really into it. They care. That exceeded my expectations.' OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 31: Boris Diaw #33 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a play in the second ... More half as Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during Game Six of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 31, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by) As someone who's played on some of the biggest stages in the world, from the NBA Finals to the Olympics, Diaw has a sharp eye for style and structure. One of the most compelling aspects of the BAL, in his view, is the way African basketball is carving out its own identity while still evolving with the global game. 'African basketball is more athletic, more one-on-one,' he observed. 'Players here have a lot more athleticism than you'd see in Europe. But it's not quite like the NBA, and it's not as structured as EuroLeague either. It's somewhere in between.' That blend, he explained, is a strength, not a gap. The BAL's gameplay reflects how African players interpret and reshape the global basketball language on their terms. 'What's exciting is how these different influences are starting to merge,' he said. 'Everyone is feeding off each other, NBA, Europe, Africa. But at the same time, you can see Africa developing its rhythm, its style.' The result is a product that feels distinctly African yet globally relevant, a style that celebrates athleticism and flair, but is increasingly matched with organisation and tactical discipline. PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: A view of the BAL Finals logo after Al Ahli Tripoli won the 2025 ... More 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) For players navigating uncertain career paths, the BAL is evolving into more than just a seasonal competition, it's becoming a credible launchpad for growth, visibility, and long-term opportunity. 'Before, it was harder to get players to come,' Boris Diaw acknowledged. 'Now, more and more are looking at the BAL as a real option, whether they're just starting or looking to close their careers.' What's driving that shift is visibility, not just in Africa, but across the world. Through strategic partnerships with the NBA and G League, expansive media coverage, and accessibility via platforms like YouTube and NBA TV, the BAL offers something few regional leagues can: a global stage. 'There are so many eyes on this league, it's broadcast so widely, even more than some other leagues around the world,' Diaw said. 'For players, it's a great opportunity to come and show their talent.' That visibility is amplified by the digital age. Social media, live broadcasts, and streaming have made the BAL accessible to players, fans, scouts, and executives around the globe. It's this reach, and the sense of community it fosters, that's turning the league into a movement. Diaw sees a particularly powerful opportunity in countries like France, where large African diaspora communities are beginning to reconnect with the continent's basketball scene through the BAL. 'There are so many players in France with African roots,' he said. 'And I'd love to see more of them come back, contribute, and play in the BAL.' Many of them already follow the league closely. 'It's all over social media. You hear about it. You see it. It's global now.' Whether you're in Paris, Lagos, or Dakar, the BAL is no longer just a league, it's a bridge. 'It became so global and so easy to follow from everywhere in the world that I think all these countries are connected,' Diaw added. That interconnectedness, the feeling that this is a league for Africans everywhere, is part of what's fuelling its momentum and securing its future. Reflecting on his early days running basketball camps in Senegal in the early 2000s, Diaw recalled just how limited the infrastructure was. 'There weren't many indoor courts. There was just one old arena,' he reflected. 'Now, you've got the big arena in Dakar. There's the NBA Academy in Saly. New gyms in Thies. Things have changed.' For Diaw, the transformation of basketball infrastructure is part of a much broader story. 'I remember going back to neighbourhoods in Dakar and seeing how much had changed, roads that used to be sand are now paved. That mirrors what's happening in basketball. More courts. More youth programs. More support systems. It's all moving in the right direction.' And it's not just the physical structures. Coaching, development pathways, and organisational leadership are evolving too.'The coaching is improving, the level of preparation is better, it's not the same game it was 20 years ago and that's a good thing.' TOPSHOT - (From L) South Sudan's #11 Marial Shayok, South Sudan's #10 Jt Thor, South Sudan's #13 ... More Majok Deng, South Sudan's #26 Sunday Dech, South Sudan's #14 Peter Jok and South Sudan's #09 Wenyen Gabriel acknowledge the public at the end of the men's preliminary round group C basketball match between South Sudan and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) Diaw's experience playing against African national teams spans nearly two decades, from the FIBA World Championship in 2006 to the 2012 London Olympics. Back then, teams like Nigeria, Tunisia, and Angola were fierce competitors but today, he says, there's a noticeable shift in how African teams approach the game. 'It was always hard to play against African teams because of their different style,' he recalled. 'But now, they've evolved even further. It's not just that they're physical or athletic, they're smart, organised, and prepared.' He pointed to South Sudan's recent performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a standout example. 'South Sudan is playing a new style of basketball, one that we haven't seen that much over the years. They're bringing something fresh and effective.' What's changed, in his view, is access. African coaches and players now have more tools than ever before to study the game, from international broadcasts to advanced analytics. 'Now, everybody is learning basketball that's more global and unified,' Diaw said. 'That knowledge transfer is helping teams become more competitive at the highest level.' PRETORIA, TSHWANE - JUNE 14: A view of the BAL Finals trophy and ring after Al Ahli Tripoli won the ... More 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) Al Ahli Tripoli's BAL title earns them a spot at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, where they'll represent Africa against top clubs from around the world. For a team that started its journey in the Road to BAL qualifiers, it's a remarkable full-circle moment. But for Boris Diaw, the bigger takeaway lies beyond the silverware. 'I came here expecting good basketball, good vibes,' he said. 'But what I saw? The heart. The emotion. The fans. The competition. That exceeded everything.' The crowd energy in Pretoria, the celebration after every hard-fought win, and the unfiltered passion on the court made it clear: The BAL is a competition of consequence, one that means everything to the players, coaches, and fans who are helping shape it. 'The way the players react when they win, how happy they are, how intense the games feel, that's what basketball is supposed to be,' Diaw said. 'You don't always see that in every league. But here? You feel it.'
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Libya's Alahli Tripoli Crowned 2025 Basketball Africa League Champions
Libya's Alahli Tripoli today defeated Angola's Petro de Luanda 88-67 to win the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) ( Championship, which took place at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, and reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages. Alahli Tripoli, which made its BAL debut this season, is the first team from Libya to win the BAL Championship. A record 141,564 fans attended games over the course of the BAL's milestone fifth season. Following the game, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented Alahli Tripoli with the BAL Championship Trophy and Alahli Tripoli forward Jean Jacques Boissy with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2025 BAL Most Valuable Player Award. For the first time in BAL history, the 2025 champions received championship rings ( following a tradition long associated with global basketball excellence. Alahli Tripoli went 9-1 during the Nile Conference group phase in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Playoffs, defeating Cape Verde's Kriol Star and Rwanda's APR in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Finals. Alahli Tripoli is the first team in league history to win both its conference and the championship in the same season. APR defeated Egypt's Al Ittihad 123–90 in the third-place game yesterday, setting a league record for the most points scored in a single game. Boissy is also the 2025 BAL Scoring Champion and was named to the 2025 All-BAL First Team and the 2025 All-BAL Defensive Team, recording per game averages of 18.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.9 assists. Several former NBA players attended games during the 2025 BAL Playoffs and Finals, including 2014 NBA champion Boris Diaw (France; ties to Senegal), seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady (U.S.), BAL Ambassadors and NBA Africa investors Luol Deng (South Sudan), Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin) and Joakim Noah (grandfather from Cameroon), 2015 FIBA AfroBasket champion Olumide Oyedeji (Nigeria), former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania) and former NBA player and Olympian Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana). The BAL has also announced the Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sportsmanship Award winner, All-BAL First Team, All-BAL Defensive Team, and Ubuntu Award winner. The voting panels varied for each award and comprised fans, coaches, team captains, media, broadcasters, and scouts. 2025 BAL Coach of the Year Alahli Tripoli head coach Abou Chacra Joseph Fouad led his team to a BAL Championship with a 9-1 record during the Nile Conference group phase and the Playoffs. 2025 Defensive Player of the Year APR center Aliou Diarra won The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy as the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. Diarra led APR to a 6-4 record during the Nile Conference group phase, and the Playoffs, averaging 17.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks in 10 games this season. He is the first player in league history to win the award twice, having previously received the honor in 2023 with Stade Malien (Mali). Diarra was also named to the All-BAL First Team. 2025 BAL Sportsmanship Award Petro de Luanda (Angola) guard Souleyman Diabate received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie. 2025 All-BAL First Team Position Player Team Guard Jean Jacques Boissy Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard Jaylen Adams Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard / Forward Majok Machar Deng Al Ittihad (Egypt) Forward Patrick Gardner Jr. Petro de Luanda (Angola) Forward / Center Aliou Diarra APR (Rwanda) 2025 All-BAL Defensive Team Position Player Team Guard Jean Jacques Boissy Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Guard Obadiah Noel APR (Rwanda) Guard / Forward Caleb Agada Alahli Tripoli (Libya) Forward Teafale Lenard Jr. Made by Basketball (MBB; South Africa) Forward / Center Aliou Diarra APR (Rwanda) 2025 BAL Ubuntu Award Kriol Star Basketball (Cape Verde) guard Joel Almeida won the 2025 BAL Ubuntu Award in recognition of his ongoing efforts to use the game of basketball to positively impact the lives of youth in his native Cape Verde. Over the past year, Almeida organized basketball camps and clinics that reached more than 100 aspiring players and coaches, including from underserved communities. Almeida was presented with the 2025 BAL Ubuntu Trophy during an on-court ceremony on Wednesday, June 11. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Forbes
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Inside Jean Jacques Boissy's Path Back To The BAL Final
'Are They Ready For Me?" That's the question Al Ahli Tripoli's point guard Jean Jacques Boissy throws back, half-joke, full conviction when asked if he's ready for the moment. It's more than a clever line. It's the energy of a player who's been counted out, moved around, and quietly transformed into not only one of the BAL's most reliable leaders but one of the young superstars of this league. For Boissy, this year's BAL Final isn't just a shot at redemption it's a return to the stage where it all started. From a breakout run with Senegal's AS Douanes to a fresh challenge with Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli, his path reflects not only personal growth but the maturing identity of a league where African basketball continues to rise. In an interview with ahead of the Season 5 BAL Finals against Petro de Luanda in Pretoria, South Africa, Boissy shared more about the lessons learned from his three seasons in the BAL, the decision to join Tripoli for Season 5, his role on the team as well as how he hopes his journey can inspire others. His BAL debut came with AS Douanes, and even then, he had a sense that something special was possible. 'I think it's been a great journey,' he shared. 'My first year, I was still a local player with AS Douanes and we managed to make it to the finals. Our goal was just to reach the Playoffs, but we saw our chances, played hard and made it to the Final?' They pushed, they played hard, they stayed together. But the dream ended in heartbreak against Al Ahly of Egypt. 'It hurt me, but it was a great experience to make it to the finals in my first year,' he admits. The following season, he returned to Douanes with unfinished business. 'I went back trying to finish the job. But we didn't make it to the semifinals. We lost against Petro. We were leading the whole game by 20. It was a bad, bad fourth quarter for us, but we lost it.' That sting didn't break him, it sharpened him. 'You get better after every loss,' he says. 'And I think that's what really helped me to focus on this year and try to win it.' This season marked a pivotal turning point. The team he played for during The Road to the BAL — Urunani, did not qualify, and his previous team — AS Douanes, where he spent his first two BAL seasons, also failed to qualify. As a result, an opportunity arose with Al Ahli Libya. However, the decision to leave home was not an easy one. 'It was, first of all, a hard choice to make, leaving your country,' he explains. 'Making this choice to go play for Al Ahli was really hard. Everybody in Senegal was like, 'He just left Senegal to play for another team.'' There was pressure. Doubts. Whispers about his role. 'A lot of people were texting me saying; 'they signed a lot of point guards. I don't think you're going to have playing time and all that,'' he shares. 'But I really trust myself. I prayed to God before I made the choice. Talked to my parents, my friends, and my agent. And here we are.' For him, it came down to research and faith. 'Life is about choices. You've got to study the team, study the market, study the value of the team. And I think this was a great fit for me.' Having suited up for AS Douanes, Urunani in the Road to BAL, and now Tripoli, he's navigated diverse systems and coaching philosophies, a process he's embraced with humility. 'It's not a really big challenge going from team to team, as long as you stay the same,' he says. "I'm really a coachable person. Wherever I go, as long as I'm still me: listening to the coaches, listening to the players, trying to get better every time, it's easy for me to fit in.' The consistency paid off. 'I played with Urunani, and it was with the same coach who coached me at AS Douanes, Coach Pabi Gueye. He liked to play defense and to play hard. He's a winner," Boissy reflects. "I came here, Coach Fouad is just like my dad, that's how he sees me and coming off the bench, he has always found a way to make me look good.' The season tipped off in Kigali, a place that holds emotional weight for him. Years ago, it was a proving ground during a rough period where he played with United Generation Basketball Club in the Rwandan League. Returning with Al Ahli was a reminder of how far he and the country had come. 'When I was there, they didn't have the stadium. They didn't have a lot of things,' he recalls. 'Some people didn't recognise me until the game started. It was like, 'Oh, that was the kid playing for UGB.' So it was great for me. I had a lot of fans in Rwanda. I was really feeling like I was playing home in Rwanda.' That energy pushed him forward. 'It really helped me to boost my confidence. And to show them that I really grew up and I got better in my game.' This season, his performance has stood out averaging 19.7 points, 2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game - all while coming off the bench. The box score reflects his influence, but his real impact and the growth of his basketball IQ is in how he controls the pace, makes the right reads, and leads by example. 'I think it's just like knowing the game better and growing up,' he says. 'Because people used to view me as just a kid that's hungry for more and I couldn't control my emotions and was just really rushing everything.' Now, he sees the game differently. 'I've really been working on making sure I know what the game needs me to do and doing it," shares Boissy. "I am not just trying to score, if this game needs asks me to pass to the short roll or play good defense, I'm just going to be there for that.' In previous BAL campaigns, he was the player asked to shut down opponents' best scorers. This year, the role has changed from game to game and he's responded each time and still maintained his edge, earning him a spot on the BAL-All Defensive first team. 2025 BAL Coach Of the Year, Coach Fouad Chacra called him one of the greatest gifts to the team this season, a testament not only to his playmaking but to how seamlessly he's fit into the locker room. 'They really made me feel comfortable,' Boissy says. 'At some point, it felt like I had been playing with them for a couple of years.' That comfort translated into chemistry. 'They have the same energy as me. They're trying to win. I played in the BAL for two years before now, this was their first. So I was always there to help them to know.' Boissy's leadership came into sharper focus after the team's disappointing classification loss. 'Some people were stressing about it. And I was just there to let them know that in the BAL, you're going to have one game that's going to hurt your feelings. And we're just blessed to have it at the point where it's not going to send us home.' He helped keep the team grounded. 'I was there to keep the team together and hopefully, that was the last loss we're going to have in the whole tournament.' But leadership wasn't something new, it just took a new form. He'd captained teams before, but being a young foreign player made it harder to step up vocally at first. 'I used to be a leader, like growing up and playing under-18 with Senegal, I was the captain but whenever I go somewhere and I see older people, I just give them their respect,' he explains. That instinct to step back shifted this year. 'They gave me the space and let me know that I could talk to them and I have seen my leadership skills grow. I am calm, poised, and learning more about controlling my emotions.' Boissy has reached the final once again but this time, the perspective is different. 'I'm just thinking that it's one game I've got to win. It's just like 40 more minutes," shared Boissy. "I'm not going to stress myself about it being a final I'm just taking it as a game.' More than anything, he wants his journey to mean something, especially to the kids back home. 'I'm really doing this for every African kid that didn't go to college or to high school. To just know that you still can achieve big things as long as you stay on track. You keep working hard and believe in yourself.' He knows the path isn't easy. 'Everybody is not going to have the opportunity to go overseas but you can't give up. I wish everybody was going to have it. But it's not going to be like that," shares Boissy. "You're going to go through some hard times. But you just got to keep working and believe in yourself.' Whether the trophy is in his hands or not when the final buzzer sounds at Sun Bet Arena, one thing is clear, his BAL journey has already left its mark.
Libya Observer
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Libya Observer
Al Ahly Tripoli qualify for BAL finals with record-breaking run
Kigali, Rwanda – Libyan basketball club Al Ahly Tripoli have secured their place in the finals of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) after a dominant performance in the Nile Conference, finishing with a perfect 6–0 record. The team, coached by Lebanon's Fouad Abou Chacra, swept past South Africa's MBB, Kenya's Nairobi City Thunder, and hosts Rwanda Army, winning both home and away ties in the round-robin stage. Their unbeaten campaign extends to 12 games, including earlier qualifiers in Tripoli and Abidjan. Al Ahly's performances in Kigali were not only convincing but historic. The Libyan side shattered the BAL's all-time scoring record with a 115–87 win over Nairobi, eclipsing the previous record of 113 points set by US Monastir in 2021. They also became the first team in the tournament's history to score over 100 points in four separate matches. Senegalese forward Jean Jacques Boissy made headlines with a 30-point game—the highest individual tally in BAL history—surpassing the previous best of 29 points set by US Monastir's DJ Hardy. Team captain Mohamed Al-Saadi also impressed, ranking second in rebounds with an average of 9.5 per game. Speaking after the win, point guard Nassim Badrouch praised the team's achievement but urged caution ahead of the finals in Pretoria, South Africa, which begin on 5 June. Al Ahly Tripoli will face fellow undefeated side Al Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt to determine final seeding. The winner will face the loser of Creole Sport (Cape Verde) vs FUS Rabat (Morocco) in the quarter-finals, while the runner-up will play the winner. The knockout stage will determine the 2025 BAL champion. The tournament is organised by FIBA Africa in collaboration with the NBA. Tags: basketball club Al Ahly Tripoli
