Players to watch at the 2026 Sahara Conference

With the clock quickly counting down to the start of the 2026 Sahara Conference, we have compiled a list of talented players that opposing teams, fans, scouts and basketball enthusiasts alike should keep their eyes on. 

The twelve players we selected include BAL champions, exceptional shooters and out-of-this-world ball-handlers, as well as a G League champion who added an NBA championship ring to his collection. 

Find the 12 players you must watch in the Rabat-Sahara Conference below, in no particular order.

Omar Abada (Club Africain)

Omar Abada is a two-time AfroBasket champion with Tunisia but has yet to win a BAL title. 

After a runner-up finish with US Monastir, Abada was named to the 2021 BAL All-Team and now emerges as Club Africain’s primary scoring and playmaking option. 

Having turned 33 on 20 April, Abada is now entering his fourth BAL season, having previously played in the league with US Monastir in 2021, ABC Fighters in 2023, and FUS Rabat in 2025.

Ehab Amin (Al Ahly)

Over the last 15 years, it has become impossible to discuss Egyptian basketball without mentioning Ehab Amin. That’s how impactful he has been for his club, Al Ahly, and the national team. 

A fearless guard who does it all at both ends of the floor, Amin often puts his body on the line. He played a significant role in helping Al Ahly win the 2023 BAL — the second time an Egyptian team has won the competition.

Jawadi Adekoya (Maktown Flyers)

Adekoya made his BAL debut in the 2023 season, playing for the Nigerian team Kwara Falcons. Although the Falcons finished their debut season without a win in five games, Adekoya made a strong impression. 

A decent offensive player, he led the Falcons in scoring with a team-high average of 11.2 points per game. At 6'6", Adekoya can also contribute defensively.

Jonathan Jordan (Al Ahly)

Ever since he made his BAL debut with his former team, FUS Rabat of Morocco, in 2024, Jordan, the 2017 G League champion with the Raptors 905, has made his mark in the BAL’s history books. 

A 5-foot-10 guard, Jordan is a prolific playmaker and scorer. Ten years ago, he grabbed the headlines by winning the G League Dunk Contest. He also plays internationally for the DR Congo national team.

Chris Crawford (JCA Kings)

Imagine a lethal shooting guard who can make shooting in transition and catch-and-shoot look easy, and you will probably remember Chris Crawford. 

The 6-foot-3 guard is entering his fifth BAL season and has helped his teams secure second place on two occasions. First, he helped US Monastir secure second place in the 2021 season, and then he led AS Douanes to the 2023 final.

Jonathan Cisse (JCA Kings)

Jonathan Cisse is not well known, but he has a unique ability to catch and shoot, which makes him a constant threat to opponents. Cissé played a significant role in helping the JCA Kings win seven of their eight Road to BAL games. 

It didn’t take long before the 6-foot-1 guard attracted the attention of Ivorian officials, who invited him to join their national team.

Axel Toupane (ASC Ville de Dakar)

Axel Toupane adds massive quality to the Senegalese champions with his storied career at club and national level. 

A 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks and a 2017 G League champion with the Toronto 905, the 6-foot-7 Toupane is a guard/small forward who represented the French national team at one point in his career.

Zachary Lofton (Al Ahly)

Zachary Lofton, a consistent scorer, adds even more scoring power to the Egyptian champions. During the 2024 Road to BAL qualifiers, he led Libyan side Al Ahly Ly (Benghazi) in scoring with an average of 19.5 points per game. 

Prior to winning the 2024 FIBA Champions League with the Lebanese team Al Riyadi, Lofton enjoyed a brief stint in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons.

Ayoub Nouhi (FUS Rabat)

Moroccan international Nouhi is entering his third consecutive BAL season. The 6-foot-7 small forward can contribute offensively with his three-point ability.

Solo Diabate (ASC Ville de Dakar)

Solo Diabate, the only player with two BAL titles in the 2026 BAL Sahara Conference, needs no introduction. 

Diabate, who played for four different clubs in his first five BAL seasons, is a natural floor general and a vocal figure when needed. He is a scorer, whether he is left open or not. Due to his vast experience and successful career, Diabate could be a game-changer in key moments.

Will Perry (FUS Rabat)

Will Perry has become a BAL household name. It was during the 2023 BAL season that he rose to the occasion, tying the league's then-scoring record of 41 points in Ferroviario da Beira's 109–97 win over SLAC. 

Perry was 9 for 14 from beyond the arc in that game, tying Terrel Stoglin’s BAL scoring record. Perry has also played for Rivers Hoopers in Nigeria and ASC Ville de Dakar in Senegal.

Jesse Jones Jr. (Club Africain)

Jesse Jones Jr.’s passion for basketball has made him a social media sensation, with millions of followers engaging with his content in huge numbers. 

However, over the last few years, Jones Jr. has transitioned to professional basketball, letting his game do the talking. A 6-foot point guard with an appetite for scoring, he is expected to add some scoring power to his debut with BAL club Club Africain.   

Other star players

Other star players to watch at the 2026 Sahara Conference include Kevin Murphy (Al Ahly), Peter Olisemeka (Maktown) Flyers), Mike Yayo (JCA Kings), Deng Deng (ASC Ville de Dakar), Jamelle Hagins (Club Africain) and Osayi Osifo (Al Ahly).