10 players to watch at the 2025 Sahara Conference

A number of players have landed in Dakar with the primary goal of boosting their teams' chances of securing one of two spots in the 2025 BAL postseason, but can they do it?

Their talent, experience, and discipline could be instrumental in their teams' efforts at the Dakar Arena from April 26 to May 4.

Here are 10 players to watch.

Will Perry (ASC Ville de Dakar)

Perry returns for his fourth consecutive BAL season, and along the way he has built a reputation as a lethal scorer.

ASC Ville de Dakar lured the 31-year-old guard to join a team seeking glory in front of its home fans.

Perry lived up to his reputation as a top scorer when he shot 9-for-14 from beyond the arc to finish with a BAL record 41 points (broken in 2024 by Lual Acuil's 42) to help Ferroviario Beira beat SLAC 109-97 in the 2023 season. In the same game, Perry also tied the BAL record for most three-point field goals in a game with nine.

When left open, opponents are likely to pay the price, that's how dangerous Perry can be.

Abdoulaye Harouna (ASC Ville de Dakar)

Heading into this fifth consecutive BAL season, Harouna is recognized as an all-around player, as evidenced by his nomination to the 2024 BAL All-Defensive Team.

Harouna holds a BAL average of 18.3 points that dates back to the 2021 inaugural season.

Rigoberto Mendoza (Petro de Luanda)

A two-time World Cup participant with the Dominican Republic national team, Mendoza, who joined the Angolan champions at the start of the domestic season, is known for his shooting ability.

But the 32-year-old forward can also make a difference on the defensive end of the floor. This is his first BAL experience.

Devine Eke (ASC Ville de Dakar)

Want to see an energetic player who can do it all on both ends of the floor? Eke is your man.

In his first BAL appearance last year, Eke averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. He finished second in field goals made (67) behind MVP Lual Acuil.

After a breakthrough BAL season with the Rivers Hoopers, Eke was selected by the Santa Cruz Warriors with the 45th overall pick in the 2024 NBA G League Draft.

Childe Dundao (Petro de Luanda)

He may be small in stature, but the 5-foot-6 guard is a giant on the floor.

Named to the BAL All-Defensive Team in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Dundao is known for his fearless attitude when attacking the basket. But he can also shoot under pressure from deep or close to the rim.

Solo Diabate (Petro de Luanda)

The only two-time BAL champion in the 2025 Sahara Conference, Diabate has a unique style and an effortless ability to score.

His 37 years are deceiving, as the Ivorian international has continued to produce incredible performances in recent years.

Firas Lahyani (US Monastir)

They call him Air Tunisia for a reason. His super athleticism is out of this world. And what makes the 6-foot-7 forward even more special is his ability to score from long range.

Last year, he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to help US Monastir beat Petro de Luanda 70-67 on the opening day of the postseason.

Patrick McGlynn (Kriol Star)

It didn't take long for McGlynn to make his mark on African basketball.

When Kriol Star needed him most, the 32-year-old turned in a performance for the ages, shooting 7-for-12 from deep to help the Cape Verdean team upset favorite Urunani 90-82 in the semifinals of the 2024 Road to BAL. The win stamped Kriol Star's passport for the 2025 BAL season.

Deng Acuoth (US Monastir)

The demand for South Sudanese players continues to grow with each passing season, and Acuoth, who played a key role in helping his national team qualify for their first AfroBasket four years ago, will bring his dominant presence in the paint to the BAL.

The 6'10" center can do it all on the defensive end of the floor.

Ivan Almeida (Kriol Star)

You don’t need to be a die-hard basketball fan to have heard Ivan Almeida’s name.

A multi-faceted player, the 6-foot-6 Almeida is a natural leader on and off the court.

He is credited for being one of the key players of the Cape Verdean national team that qualified for a FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time two years ago.

Almeida played for Al Ahly Tripoli in the first round of the Road to BAL but it’s with the club that he helped to found that he will make his BAL debut alongside his older brother Joel Almeida.