Chasing a BAL return on the Road to BAL

Almost a month into the 2026 Road to BAL, one fact has become clear: The number of former BAL players present has reached a record high.

From two-time BAL champions to players who made an impact in the league one way or another, over thirty players are aiming to return for the sixth edition of the BAL in 2026.

Five head coaches are among those chasing a BAL return on the Road to BAL: Mamadou Gueye (BAL Coach of the Year in 2023), Stéphane Konaté (a former ABC Fighters player), Antonio Moreira (assistant coach at Kriol Stars in 2025), Ahmed Soliman (head coach at Al Ittihad Alexandria) and Tonny Drileba (a former City Oilers player).

With the Road to BAL set to begin in Praia, Cape Verde, for the West Division Elite 16, BAL.NBA.COM looks back at how some of those hoping to return to the league made their names.

Solo Diabate

Solo Diabate, one of only two players in the league's history – alongside Michael Fakuade – to win two BAL titles, has not missed a season since the league's inception in 2021. A BAL champion with Zamalek and US Monastir, and a runner-up with Al Ahly Benghazi and Petro de Luanda, Diabate also has a storied Road to BAL career. He featured for Tanzanian side Dar City last month.

Youssoupha Ndoye

The Senegalese international was instrumental in APR's third-place finish in the 2025 BAL season. Named in both the 2025 All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Team, the 6-foot-11 Ndoye averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

He has recently signed with Tanzanian side Dar City, who secured a place in the East Division Elite 16 after achieving complete domination in Group D.

Ivan Almeida

Like Ndoye, the 6-foot-6 combo guard was named in the 2025 All-BAL Second Team.

Almeida played a huge role in helping the relatively unknown Kriol Stars reach the 2025 BAL playoffs and was a last-minute addition to the team as they vie for a consecutive BAL appearance.

Mohamed Sadi

The Libyan international first appeared in the Road to BAL in 2019, playing for the local team Al Naser. He made his BAL debut playing for Senegal’s AS Douanes in 2021, but he did not find success until 2025 when he helped his childhood club, Al Ahly Tripoli, win the league title.

He was named in the 2025 All-BAL Second Team and the league’s All-Defensive Team.

Last month, he featured for Al Ahly Benghazi in Group B of the Road to BAL in Bamako, where they finished with a perfect 3–0 record.

Jonathan Jordan

After making a name for himself in BAL arenas with his jaw-dropping dunks and unique athleticism for a relatively short player, Jordan — who inspired Moroccan side FUS Rabat to two consecutive BAL appearances — has now joined Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya.

Raphiael Putney

Playing in the Road to BAL is nothing new for the 6-foot-9 Putney, who played for the former South African champions, the Cape Town Tigers.

Before setting a Road to BAL scoring record with 52 points in a 102–50 victory against Djabal last month, Putney played a key role in helping the Nigerian team Rivers Hoopers reach the quarter-finals in the 2025 BAL season.

Pieter Prinsloo

South African international Pietr Prinsloo has recently become one of the most familiar faces in the league. The 6-foot-10 power forward has made three consecutive appearances in the BAL, having played for the Cape Town Tigers in 2022 and 2023, before joining MBB in 2025.

Last month, Prinsloo was one of the key players in the undefeated Johannesburg Giants team.

Other players who have made an impression in the league include Ayad Mungwambe, who has participated in the BAL twice; Samba Fall; Mahamane Coulibaly, who put in a splendid performance for Stade Malien last season; and Ulrich Kra, who played for ABC Fighters in the 2023 BAL season.

However, the list of players with BAL experience is growing as teams continue their recruitment drive.

BAL champion Sadi eager for more silverware

BAL.NBA.COM sat down with Mohamed Sadi and asked him, among other things, what motivates him and other players to attempt a return to the BAL.

The newly crowned BAL champion did not hesitate in saying: “This tournament means a lot to me—not just as a player, but as someone who believes in the growth of basketball in our region. Competing in the Road to BAL means starting from scratch and fighting for a spot on Africa’s biggest stage. Even though I’ve already won the BAL, each year brings a new challenge, and the motivation to return to that level never fades.”

“Winning the title after going through the Road to BAL qualifiers proved that teamwork, discipline, and self-belief can make miracles happen. The biggest lesson I learned is that you must believe in your ability to compete—no matter how you start. We weren’t the favorites, but with our fighting spirit and unity, we made history.

The Road to BAL concludes on 23 November, when the final two tickets for the 2026 BAL will be awarded in Nairobi, Kenya.