Stars to watch at the Kalahari Conference 2025

From newcomers to league regulars, the 2025 Kalahari Conference boasts an array of talented players ready to light up the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat from April 5-13.

Time will tell whether they can take their respective teams to new heights, but one thing is for sure, the quality of the players in this year's Kalahari Conference makes it one to watch.

Here are nine players to watch out for in the conference:

Anas Mahmoud (Al Ittihad)

The seven-foot centre has his fingerprints all over the BAL, and as he returns for his third season, the former Zamalek star can't hide his intentions to win his second league title.

The 2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year could be the backbone of the Alexandria outfit's defence, but he can also make a difference on the offensive end of the floor.

George King (Al Ittihad)

Former NBA players aren't new to the BAL. Ben Uzoh, Billy Preston and Joshua Hall all played in the NBA at some point in their careers before joining the BAL.

King, a former Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks player, joined the Alexandria-based club with the clear intention of helping them become the third Egyptian team to lift the BAL trophy.

Majok Deng (Al Ittihad)

Since making his debut for the Bright Stars of South Sudan in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, the 6-foot-9 forward has become one of the most recognisable faces in African basketball. And it was no surprise that Libya's Al Ahly Ly lured him to make his BAL debut last season, where they finished second .

Before making his debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Deng played for South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Mamadou Doucoure (Stade Malien)

He has never hidden his dream of being a part of BAL history, and when Cameroon's FAP approached him during the 2024 Road to BAL campaign, he thought his BAL dream was about to come true.

Unfortunately, FAP did not qualify , but it wasn't long before Stade Malien resurrected his BAL dream for a second Road to BAL in November last year.

Doucoure put his body on the line, averaging 8 points and 10.6 rebounds in the 2025 Road to BAL Elite 16, and Les Blancs grabbed one of the four BAL tickets for BAL Season 5.

Peter Olisemeka (Rivers Hoopers)

Olisemeka played a huge part in the Nigerian champions' third place finish last year.

The 6-foot-9 forward contributed at both ends of the floor, averaging 10 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.

His return to the Hoopers is a massive boost for the Kingsmen.

Kelvin Amayo (Rivers Hoopers)

The reigning Nigerian League MVP will be making his third consecutive appearance in the BAL.

He has two BAL bronze medals to his name.

Amayo was instrumental in Stade Malien's third-place finish in the 2023 BAL.

A year later, he helped the Hoopers to a third-place finish.

Jonathan Jordan (FUS Rabat)

The American is emerging as the main scoring option for the 2025 Kalahari Conference hosts.

A quick-thinking playmaker with a fearsome ability to attack the rim, Jordan is the man coach Said El Bouzidi will rely on to send the Moroccan champions back to the BAL postseason for a second year in a row.

Mike Fofana (FUS Rabat)

Fofana built a reputation as a cold-blooded shooter, especially after hitting a game-winning jumper against Rivers Hoopers that gave host AS Douanes a 56-54 victory in the final second last season.

This is his third BAL season after playing for Ivory Coast's ABC Fighters in 2023.

Abdelhakim Zouita (FUS Rabat)

One of Morocco's most revered players of the past 15 years, the veteran left his mark on African basketball when he inspired AS Sale to the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, winning the tournament's MVP award in the process.