May 26, 2023

GUEYE NAMED 2023 BAL COACH OF THE YEAR

Mamadou Gueye has been named the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Coach of the Year.

The BAL announced the award before the start of the Third-Place Game on Friday.

The 44-year-old has led AS Douanes to the 2023 BAL Final.

AS Douanes started the season with a 0-2 mark, but in a turn of events, they won the remaining three games of the Sahara Conference.

The Senegalese champions beat reigning champions US Monastir (76-60) on the last day of the Conference to finish with a 3-2 record and qualify for the Playoffs.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 24: Jean Jacques Boissy #5 of AS Douanes celebrates against the Petro de Luanda on May 24, 2023 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images)

Gueye’s team continued their sensational campaign with a Semi-Finals 92-86 win against title contender Petro de Luanda on Wednesday.

Gueye’s AS Douanes are currently on a five-game winning streak.

AS Douanes will face Al Ahly in the 2023 BAL Final on Saturday, May 27.

Gueye holds an overall win-loss record of 6-5 dating back to the BAL inaugural season when they finished 1-3.

Gueye becomes the second to win the award since it was introduced last year.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 17: Head coach Mamadou Gueye of the A.S. Douanes talks with his team prior to the start of a game against the G.S. Pétroliers at Kigali Arena on May 17, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images)

Petro de Luanda’s Jose Neto won the 2022 Coach of the Year award.

Criteria for the Coach of the Year award - according to the BAL - a coach must have:

Developed a mutually respectful relationship with league, game officials, media, opponents and fans;

Had the best results based on the resources at their disposal.

The nomination process is decided by head coaches, and two assistant coaches; A coach cannot select a member of his/her team.