Meet the new signings for the 2026 BAL Playoffs

With the decisive playoffs in Kigali approaching (22–31 May), all eight teams have made significant adjustments to their rosters.

While some outstanding players who made an impact during the Kalahari and Sahara Conferences were surprisingly released, new signings have boosted their teams' value considerably. 

A new head coach has even taken over a title contender, reflecting how much the teams want to make their mark on BAL history. 

At this stage, the eight teams cannot be judged solely on their recent past. 

Most of the teams have filled their rosters with quality, BAL-tested players, and are determined to lift the baobab-inspired trophy on 31 May at the iconic BK Arena. 

Here’s a list of roster adjustments since the end of the regular season on 3 May.

RSSB Tigers 

Players In: Oumar Ballo (Mali), Osborn Shema (Rwanda)
Players Out: Marcel Viny-Pierrot Okouo (Republic of Congo) 

The 6-foot-11 centre has joined the RSSB Tigers, marking the start of his professional club career in Africa.

Before embarking on a five-year college career in the US with Gonzaga, Arizona, and Indiana University Bloomington, Ballo built a storied youth career with the Malian national teams. 

Ballo and his teammate made global headlines when they stunned top European teams to finish second at the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He is also a member of the Malian senior team.

The RSSB Tigers have added more size with the arrival of Osborn Shema, a seven-foot Rwandan international.

FUS Rabat

Players In: Uchenna Iroegbu (Nigeria)
Players Out: Anthony Pritchard (USA), Abdoulaye Harouna (Niger)

Playmaker Uchenna Iroegbu is a familiar face in BAL circles. He played for SLAC during the 2023 season, before joining the Nairobi City Thunder last season. He averaged a team-high 14 points and 4.7 assists per game. 

A reliable ball-handler and decent scorer, the 6-foot-1 Iroegbu has represented the national team on numerous occasions.  

Abdoulaye Harouna suffered a hand injury during the Sahara Conference.

Petro de Luanda

Players In: Chasson Randle (USA), Raphiael Putney (USA)
Players Out:  Javion Blake (USA), Chinemelu Elonu (Nigeria)

In his BAL debut last season, Putney averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds per game, helping the Rivers Hoopers advance to the playoffs. A 6-foot-10 power forward with decent shooting ability, Putney brings size, scoring power and experience to a Petro de Luanda squad aiming for their sixth consecutive semi-final appearance.

Joining Putney in the Angolan champions' rotation is Chasson Randle, a former NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers and a Euroleague champion with Real Madrid.

The 6-foot-1 guard made his BAL debut last year, averaging 15 points and four assists in ten games, helping Rwanda's APR finish third.

Al Ahly LY

Players In: Assem Marei (Egypt), Charlie Moore (USA)
Players Out:  Damion Baugh (USA); Jean Jacques Boissy (Senegal)
Head Coach In: Fotios Katsikaris (Greece)
Head Coach Out: Ahmed Soliman (Egypt)

A pillar of the Egyptian national team, the 6-foot-9 power forward/centre Assem Marei has joined Al Ahly Tripoli – his second Libyan team – after helping Al Ahli win the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title.

Marei’s dominant play inside could be a valuable asset for Al Ahly Libyan, who finished second in 2024 and are now aiming to become the second Libyan team to win the BAL trophy two seasons in a row.

While Jean Jacques Boissy was sidelined due to a foot injury, no public disclosure was made regarding Baugh’s unavailability.  

Dar City 

Players In: Anas Mahmoud (Egypt), Jonas Oberlin Mushi (Tanzania)
Players Out: Junior Madut (South Sudan)

The Tanzanian champions lured the former BAL Defensive Player of the Year, hoping to benefit from his rim protection and rebounding ability. Mahmoud helped Zamalek win the inaugural BAL season in 2021. In his last BAL appearance, Mahmoud’s Al Ittihad Alexandria finished fourth in the 2025 season.

Club Africain

Players In: Makhtar Gueye (Senegal)
Players Out: Achref Gannouni (Tunisia)

A seasoned BAL player and Senegalese international, he adds an energetic style of play and scoring power. This is Gueye’s third time playing in the BAL, having previously played for Ferroviario da Beira in 2023 and ASC Ville de Dakar last year. He averaged 11 points per game across his two BAL seasons.

Al Ahly EGY

Players In: Nuni Omot (South Sudan), Amr Zahran (Egypt)
Players Out: Amr Gendy (Egypt), Malek Abdelgowad (Egypt).

Nuni Omot and Amr Zahran both played a huge role in helping Al-Ahly SC to win the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season in Kigali. Omot, who had a brief spell with Rwanda’s APR last season, was named the 2023 MVP. Amr is attempting to become the first sibling to win the BAL title alongside his younger brother Ibrahim Zahran.

ASC Ville de Dakar 

Players In: William Tavares (Cape Verde)
Players Out: Deng Deng (South Sudan)

William Tavares is an explosive offensive player who also contributes on the defensive end. The 6-foot-4 player is a regular member of the Cape Verdean national team.

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