Top prospects from Nile and Sahara conferences vow to rise to the occasion

It doesn’t take long to realise how confident the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elevate players have become early in season 4 of the BAL.

Take Aginaldo Neto and Mohamed Sylla as examples. Both did wonders in the Kalahari Conference last month in Pretoria, South Africa for Petro de Luanda and FUS Rabat, respectively.

Sylla was tremendous in FUS Rabat’s 3-1 mark. Every time the 19-year-old came off the bench he put his 6-foot-10 frame to service, battling out against more seasoned players while averaging almost 5 points, 5 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game.

Neto, on the other hand, justified why he is often tipped as a top point guard in the making within a star-studded Petro de Luanda roster.

And with the Nile and Sahara conferences are just around the corner, another bulk of top prospects vow to rise to the occasion.

The bal.nba.com caught up with some of them who shared their thoughts of playing in the BAL .

KHAMAN MALUACH (City Oilers, Uganda)
Age: 17
Height: 7'1
Position: Center
Nationality: South Sudanese
BAL Elevate experience: Year 3 (Played for Cobra Sports in season 2 and AS Douanes in season 3)

Recently committed to Duke University, Maluach who has a shot at making South Sudan’s 2024 Olympic roster, reflected on his BAL journey, vowing to do everything in his power to return to Kigali, for the 2024 BAL Playoffs.

He said, “The Elevate program is a big part of my development. Winning the [2023 BAL] semis was a big thing to me. I am looking forward to making a big run like last year and win it this season.”

ASSANE MANDIAN (Al Ahly Ly, Libya)
Age: 17
Height: 6'5
Position: Guard
Nationality: Senegalese
BAL Elevate experience: Year 1
Mandian is in his second year at NBA Academy Africa, this year will be the guard’s debut in the BAL.

In three exhibition games during the Kalahari Conference, Mandian powered the NBA Academy Africa’s offence, averaging 11 points while shooting 8-for-18 from beyond the arc.

“At this stage, before joining the team, I can just say that I am ready to give my all on the court,” Mandian said.

“I am thankful and excited to be playing in the BAL and to represent my country and family in the league.”

KHADIM MBOUP (AS Douanes, Senegal)
Age: 17
Height: 6'9
Position: Forward
Nationality: Senegalese
BAL Elevate experience: Year 2 (Withdrew from Kwara Falcons’ roster in season 3 due to injury)
Mboup had his first taste of the BAL in 2022 with eventual runners-up Zamalek.
Now, playing for local team AS Douanes, he says, “It’s like playing for the Senegalese national team.”

“It’s a comfortable situation to be in as I know almost everyone on the team. I am really excited to be joining the team.”

SEIFELDIN HENDAWY (Al Ahly SC, Egypt)
Age: 18
Height: 6'7
Position: Guard/Small Forward
Nationality: Egyptian
BAL Elevate experience: Year 2 (Played for Petro de Luanda in season 3)

Before Hendawy embarks on his collegiate career with Loyola University Chicago he will have a childhood dream to realise with Al Ahly SC.

“I grew up playing for Al Ahly youth teams. Some of my former teammates are now playing with the senior team,” he noted.

He continued, “I feel like I’ll be in my comfort zone. It’s my hometown team and I am really excited to be joining the team.”

Asked about any potential challenges to integrate the BAL reigning champions’ rotation, Hendawy replied that he can easily fit in because “I know the culture of the club. I grew up watching them play and then the language will make it even easier.

“I can bring some more energy and an extra voice on the court. The team can benefit from my aggressive defensive game,” he added.

ULRICH CHOMCHE (APR, Rwanda)
Age: 18
Height: 6'11
Position: Center
Nationality: Cameroonian
BAL Elevate experience: Year 3 (Played for FAP in season 2 and REG in season 3)

The young Cameroonian will be another familiar face in the Sahara Conference.

At the age of 18, Chomce’s potential is off the charts as he showed in his first two BAL seasons.

Unsurprisingly, the young Cameroonian, known for his aggressive defensive game, has showed - during the Kalahari Conference’s exhibition games – how refined his 3-point shooting has become.

“I can give a lot of energy and I can’t wait to get started and give 100% of my game, especially on defence. I am sure they will love it,” Chomche says.

“This is just the platform we – the players – want to be in as we have been working really hard at the academy.”

Since the introduction of the BAL Elevate program in 2022, top basketball prospects from across Africa continue to prove they can compete in the league and can make a difference.

Find below the full list of players of the 2024 Elevate Program:

Ahmed Abouelela (Bangui Sporting Club), Khaman Maluach (City Oilers), Assane Mandian (Al Ahly Ly), Seifeldin Hendawy (Al Ahly SC), Khadim Mboup (AS Douanes), Ulrich Chomche (APR), David Ugonna (Rivers Hoopers), Ahmed Deboui (US Monastir), Aginaldo Neto (Petro de Luanda), Mohamed Sylla (FUS Rabat) and Yakhya Diop (Cape Town Tigers).