Record Number of former NBA and G League Players Are Set to Feature in BAL’s Nile Conference

The number of players with NBA and G League experience in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has risen as the six-team Nile Conference gears up for tip off on Saturday in Cairo.

The Nile Conference will run from April 9 through Tuesday, April 19. 

Former New Jersey Nets guard Ben Uzoh entered the history books as the first and only former NBA player to feature in the inaugural season of the BAL last year in Rwanda, but three former NBA players are now set to make their BAL debut.

Ike Diogu, who was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the ninth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, joined BAL reigning champions Zamalek of Egypt during the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in February.

A well-known player across the African continent, the 38-year-old power forward was named MVP of the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket after powering Nigeria to the second place of FIBA Africa’s premier basketball tournament.

Talking exclusively to the bal.nba.com Diogu explained the importance of playing in the BAL: “It means a lot to me. To be able to come here and play with some great athletes, some up and coming talents, it’s huge for me. It’s good that the rest of the world will be able to see how much talent that Africa has. And I think that the world will be pleasantly surprised. I am just happy to be a part of it.”

“I couldn’t have passed on the opportunity,” the 6-foot-9 forward added.

Throughout his NBA career, Diogu suited up for the Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers. He last played for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2012-13 season before taking his talent as far as China, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Japan and Iran.

Other former NBA players in the BAL this season include former Phoenix Suns second round pick Darryil ‘DJ’ Strawberry, and Jamel Artis (main image) who had a brief career with the Orlando Magic in the 2017-18 season.

DJ Strawberry plays internationally for Cameroon, and before joining Zamalek, the shooting guard featured in some of Europe’s top-ranked leagues, including the Spanish ACB, Turkey’s Basketbol Süper Ligi, Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A and the Greek Basket League. 

Artis, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 5.1 points, 18.6 minutes in 15 games NBA games before taking his talent overseas.

On April 4, 2018, the Cape Town Tigers’ new recruit recorded his NBA career-high 18 points in a 105-100 home win against the Dallas Mavericks.

“Playing for Cape Town Tigers is a blessing,” Artis said in an interview with the bal.nba.com.

“I am here to help the Tigers and South Africa basketball. I am going to play my hardest. I am not here just to play games, I came here to win the championship. If I win the championship with this team, I have high percentage to move forward in my life and my career. The BAL is a partnership with the NBA. I’ve always wanted to go back there.”

Asked about his contribution to the Tigers, he said: “I can help this team with my leadership and my play.”

“I have only played 15 games in the NBA. I was undrafted, but I was still able to play with great coach Frank Vogel. I have heard a lot good feedback from great coaches. I think I can get back there, but right now I am just focused on this team. With these twelve guys, we have a great opportunity in the BAL.”

G League contingent in the BAL includes a former champion

In its second season, the BAL has registered a record number of players with G League experience.

Zamalek head coach Will Voigt, who led the Ike Diogu-led Nigeria team to their only AfroBasket title in 2015, coached G League Bakersfield Jam in 2014, a franchise that has since relocated to Arizona before being acquired and renamed as Motor City  Cruise by the Detroit Pistons.

The G League contingent set to debut in the BAL includes, Cape Town Tigers’ trio of Billy Preston, Myck Kabongo and Jamel Artis.

Preston played for three different G League teams: Canton Charge, Erie BayHawks and Texas Legends.

Last month, Petro de Luanda lured Yanick Moreira, who helped the Toronto 905 to the G League title in 2017. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 48 games.

The 2016-17 Toronto 905 squad included future NBA champions Pascal Siakam - who scooped the G League 2017 NBA Finals MVP award – and Fred VanFleet.

FAP’s Alexis Wangmene last played in the G League for the Austin Spurs and Zamalek’s guard Mikhael McKinne featured for the Delaware Blue Coats in the 2016-17 season.   

There are four playoffs spots at stake in the Nile Conference, and the teams that finish fifth and sixth, respectively, will be eliminated.

The six teams are BC Espoir Fukash (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Cobra Sport (South Sudan), FAP (Cameroon), Petro de Luanda (Angola) and Zamalek (Egypt).