Breaking down Craig Randall II’s historic BAL season 

Leonard Craig Randall II entered the 2026 BAL season as a relatively unknown player, but he left as the most talked-about performer.

After brief stints with several teams from around the world, including the NBA G League, Randall arrived in Africa this year and made an immediate impact.

From setting BAL records for scoring and three-pointers, he played a pivotal role in helping the RSSB Tigers become the first Rwandan team to win the BAL title, despite three other local teams trying and failing. 

Born on 22 April 1996 in Ohio, USA, the 6-foot-3 left-handed shooter left his mark on the BAL season like few others.

Even before he was named the 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player (MVP), sections of the fans filling the BK Arena started chanting MVP in unison early in the playoffs.

His historic BAL performance began during the 2026 Kalahari Conference in Pretoria, South Africa, where he inspired the Tigers, making their debut, to a 4–1 record.

He closed out his season in Kigali, Rwanda, in front of fans eager to see their country added to the list of BAL champions.

The BAL.NBA.COM breaks down below, Randall II’s historic BAL performance. 

Points per game: 36
This is the highest average number of points scored per game by any BAL player. He surpassed Terrell Stoglin’s average of 30.8 points over the first two seasons of the BAL.

Three-pointers: 11
This is the most three-pointers scored by any player in a BAL game.

Playing time: 36.1 minutes per game:
Randall II played an average of 40 minutes in his last three games, including the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. He averaged 36 minutes across eight games this season.

Right after the 2026 BAL Championship Game, Randall II talked about his BAL experience, saying:

“This is everything to me. Three months ago, I almost gave basketball up. I didn’t even want to play basketball anymore. I didn’t think it was for me. [Coaches] James Maye and Henry Mwinuka did something for me that nobody has done, which is allowing me to be myself on and off the court.”
“I have got a group of guys behind me – who I love – because they did the same thing. I am not the easiest person to deal with – my wife knows that -but when it comes to the game of basketball, I give everything I have.”

[On teammate Makong Mathiang]  
“He held us down every single time. Make sure we show him the love he deserves. Without him, we would not have won this championship. He was one of the most vocal players in the team.”

See below for an overview of how Randall II performed over the 2026 BAL season.

RSSB Tigers vs. Al Ahly Ly, 27 March 2026 – Pretoria, South Africa – Kalahari Conference

Before scoring his first BAL basket, Randall II missed two three-point attempts and grabbed a defensive rebound. He then dished out an assist to Teafale Lenard Jr. However, when he sank a go-ahead three-pointer to give the RSSB Tigers a 16-13 lead with 4:35 minutes remaining, the rest of the opening quarter became a showcase for Randall II. He finished it with 14 points, making him the only player in double digits. He eventually finished his first BAL game with a game-high 37 points (12-29 field goal) and seven rebounds.
The RSSB Tigers defeated Al Ahly Ly 103-95 in the opening game of the 2026 BAL season. 

RSSB Tigers vs. Petro de Luanda, 29 March 2026 – Pretoria, South Africa – Kalahari Conference 

Petro de Luanda implemented their scouting report, limiting Randall II to his least productive BAL game to date.

He shot 5-for-22 from the floor, including 3-for-14 from deep, and finished with 15 points — his lowest scoring haul in the BAL so far. 

However, his subpar performance was offset by his teammates, Teafale Lenard Jr. and Makong Mathiang, who combined for 43 points and led the RSSB Tigers to a narrow 82–78 victory over Petro de Luanda.

RSSB Tigers vs. Johannesburg Giants, 1 April 2026 – Pretoria, South Africa – Kalahari Conference

In his third BAL game, Randall II bounced with a 39-point performance – his highest scoring haul at that stage of the season. From the moment the Tigers took a halftime 49-47 lead, they went on to lead by as many 15 points, with Randall II proving unstoppable.

RSSB Tigers vs. Dar City, 4 April 2026 – Pretoria, South Africa – Kalahari Conference 

4 April 2026 will go down in BAL history as the day that Randall II showcased his scoring ability. He set a new scoring record of 54 points and established a new league three-point record with his eleven triples. He registered his highest efficiency of the season at 43 in the win, leading the RSSB Tigers to a 104–92 victory over Dar City.

RSSB Tigers vs. Nairobi City Thunder, 5 April 2026 – Pretoria, South Africa – Kalahari Conference

Less than 24 hours after setting two new BAL scoring records, and with the RSSB Tigers having secured their place in the playoffs, Craig Randall II was rested for their 101-92 loss to the Nairobi City Thunder.

RSSB Tigers vs. FUS Rabat (quarterfinal 1/2), 22 May 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda - BAL Playoffs

It had been almost two months since his last BAL game, and Randall II was set to play his first ever game in front of Rwandan fans. He didn’t disappoint, shooting 11-28 (including 6-for-19 from deep) and finishing with 38 points, while leading the Tigers to a 95-72 win over FUS Rabat in the first of two quarter-final games between the two teams. From that moment on, the Rwandan fans felt that something special was about to happen.

RSSB Tigers vs. FUS Rabat (quarterfinal 2/2), 24 May 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda – BAL Playoffs

After their 23-point defeat in the first of two quarter-final matches against the Tigers, FUS Rabat took to the floor with a nothing-to-lose mindset. The Moroccan champions threatened the Tigers when they took a 21-point lead in the second quarter. However, Randall II was not prepared to disappoint his loyal supporters, finishing with 43 points. Despite the 99-98 loss — which turned out to be Randall II’s first in a RSSB Tigers jersey — they advanced to the semi-finals.

RSSB Tigers vs. Al Ahly SC, 27 May 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda – 2026 BAL Semifinal 

Although his teammate Oumar Ballo was the most efficient performer with 20 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, it was Randall II who led the Tigers with his sixth 30+ point performance of the season, finishing with 30 points. The Tigers' win over the 2023 BAL winners, Al Ahly SC of Egypt, secured their place in the BAL Final — the first time a Rwandan team has reached this milestone.

RSSB Tigers vs. Petro de Luanda, 31 May 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda – 2026 BAL Championship Game.

The saying ‘it’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters’ was reiterated in Randall II’s second clash against Petro de Luanda. In the most important game of the season so far, he missed his first five shots and turned the ball over once, while Petro de Luanda embarked on a 20–0 scoring run in the first 5 minutes and 38 seconds of the game. However, when he cut the deficit to 20–2 with a drive to the basket, he found his natural rhythm. By half-time, he had scored 20 points and turned the game in their favour, giving them a 42–37 lead at half-time. He eventually finished with 33 points, securing Rwanda their first-ever BAL title in the 90-88 win.   

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