May 23, 2024

2024 BAL Playoffs – PREVIEW

Thirty BAL conference games have taken place this season, but it’s the upcoming 12 Playoffs games that will determine the 2024 BAL champions.

The top eight teams fighting for this season’s title are Al Ahly Ly (Libya), Al Ahly SC (Egypt), AS Douanes (Senegal), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), FUS Rabat (Morocco), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), and US Monastir (Tunisia).

The 2024 BAL Playoffs will take place at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda from Friday, May 24 until Saturday, June 1.

The first four games will determine the Quarter-Finals fixtures.

All 12 games will be broadcast live on the bal.nba.com, NBA app, BAL TV partners and The BAL YouTube channel.

Who are the favourites to win the title?

Although the defending champions Al Ahly SC made it to the post-season with the best overall win-loss record (5-1), this is probably one of the most unpredictable BAL Playoffs.

Judging by the conference games, the majority of the eight teams have a real chance of competing for the top step of the podium.

And with the adjustments that teams made ahead of the playoffs and the lessons taken from the group phase, it’s anyone’s game.

What’s unique about the eight playoff teams and why some individuals are chasing a special mark in BAL history? Find the answers below:

Al Ahly Ly point guard Solo Diabate is the only player this season with two BAL titles under his belt. The Ivorian won his first trophy with Zamalek in 2021 before lifting the league title in 2022 with US Monastir.

Al Ahly SC Head Coach, Agusti Julbe Bosch could become the first coach to win three BAL titles. Bosch led Zamalek to the title of the BAL inaugural season before inspiring Al Ahly SC to the 2023 title.

US Monastir, who became the first team to start the season with 0-3 to finish 3-3 in the group phase, are returning to the Playoffs for the first time since winning the league in 2022.

Cape Town Tigers have made it to the postseason for the third season in a row.

Rivers Hoppers have become the first Nigerian team to qualify for the BAL Playoffs.

AS Douanes stunned the BAL by finishing as runners-up last season.

Petro de Luanda, who finished second in 2022, have made it to the Playoffs in all four BAL seasons.

Al Ahly SC will try to become the first team to win back-to-back BAL titles.

Al Ahly Ly and FUS Rabat are making their first appearance in the BAL.

Players to watch for

If you are trying to find a reason to follow the 2024 Playoffs, there is a number of talented players that you won’t want to miss.

Players who made it to the All-BAL First Team: Carlos Morais (2022), Ater Majok (2022), Chris Crawford (2023), Jean Jacques Boissy (2023) and Aliou Diarra (2023).

BAL scoring record: By scoring 42 points in a 110-78 Al Ahly Ly win over City Oilers, Jo-Lual Acuil Jr. set a new BAL scoring record for most points scored in a single game.

But the list of highly talented players is long, and it includes, sharpshooters, Will Perry (Rivers Hoopers), Ayoub Nouhi and Jonathan Jordan (FUS Rabat) and Mark Lyons (Al Ahly SC).

When it comes with athletically-blessed players, the likes of Sadio Doucoure (US Monastir), Devine Eke (Rivers Hoopers), Sameko Cele (Cape Town Tigers), and Madut Acek (AS Douanes) can't be overlooked.

Get your popcorn ready, the BAL Season 4 show is starting.