May 2, 2025

Outstanding performances after eight games in Dakar

Whether they ended up on the losing side or led their respective teams to victory, the first eight matches of the 2025 Sahara Conference in Dakar have seen a number of outstanding performances.

With all four teams tied at 2-2 and four games to go, here is a look at how seven players stood out.

IVAN ALMEIDA (Kriol Star)

*Ivan Almeida #23 of Kriol Star Basketball dunks the ball during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on May 1, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

The 6'6" forward did it all for the Creoles, contributing at both ends of the floor.

Almeida's one-handed jam that helped Kriol Star tie the game at 83-83 before beating Ville de Dakar 95-92 in overtime sent shockwaves through the league, but it's his consistent performances that make him one of the Sahara Conference's standout performers.

He averaged 17.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

Kriol Star are currently 2-2 heading into their last two games in the conference.

YANICK MOREIRA (Petro de Luanda)

*Yanick Moreira #2 of Petro de Luanda drives to the basket during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

Before shooting 7-for-8 and scoring 16 points in Petro de Luanda's 103-74 win over Kriol Star, the former G-League champion with the Toronto 905 became the second player this season - after Youssef Aboushousha's 6-for-6 - to hit all five of his shots and finish with 11 points in Petro's 65-64 loss to ASC Ville de Dakar.

RIGOBERTO MENDOZA (Petro de Luanda)

*Rigoberto Mendoza #12 of Petro de Luanda looks on during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

The Dominican guard rescued Petro de Luanda from a game that looked out of reach against US Monastir.

Mendoza came up with a combination of clinical plays, shooting 8-for-14 from the floor to finish with 21 points and the highest efficiency rating in the conference to date (30). He added 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season as Petro de Luanda defeated US Monastir 78-68.

FIRAS LAHYANI (US Monastir)

*Firas Lahyani faces Bara Ndiaye in one of the highly anticipated matchups in the 2025 Sahara Conference.*

Less than a year after hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat Petro de Luanda 70-67 in the first game of the 2024 BAL postseason, Firas Lahyani upset the Angolan champions again.

On the second day of the Sahara Conference in Dakar, Lahyani shot 6-for-10 from the field to finish with 13 points and 12 rebounds, helping the 2022 BAL champions to an 87-73 victory.

OSIRIS ELDRIDGE (US Monastir)

Osiris Eldridge #15 of U.S. Monastir handles the ball during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar handles the ball during the game during the Sahara Conference Group on April 24, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.

In a game between Petro de Luanda and US Monastir - two of the highest ranked teams - Eldridge put on a three-point clinic to help the Tunisian champions to their first win of the BAL season.

Eldridge was 7-for-9 from long range to finish with 23 points and a 29-efficiency rating.

MAKHTAR GUEYE (ASC Ville de Dakar)

*Makhtar Gueye #7 of ASC Ville de Dakar looks on during the game against Petro de Luanda during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

First, Ville de Dakar beat US Monastir, then Makhtar Gueye helped the Senegalese champions with a performance to remember.

Gueye shot 6-for-11, including 4-for-5 from long range, for a 16-point performance and added 11 rebounds as they shocked Petro de Luanda 65-64.

PATRICK MCGLYNN (Kriol Star)

*Patrick McGlynn IV #4 of Kriol Star Basketball handles the ball during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on May 1, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

Kriol Star guard Patrick McGlynn, who missed the first two games with a leg injury, returned to ignite the conference with his scoring prowess. After scoring 18 points in an 88-72 loss to US Monastir, McGlynn scored a BAL season-high 29 points in a 95-92 win over ASC Ville de Dakar.

McGlynn averaged a season-high 23.3 points per game in his first two games.

The 2025 Sahara Conference action resumes on Saturday with the home team taking on reigning champions Petro de Luanda while US Monastir will go up against Kriol Star.