The numbers that make Diarra unique in the BAL

At 23 years old, Aliou Diarra is in his third season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and has achieved a milestone that no one else has come close to reaching.

In his BAL debut two seasons ago, Diarra played a pivotal role in helping Stade Malien secure third place after stunning title contender Petro de Luanda. He also took home the 2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year award.

The following year, the Moroccan champions FUS Rabat signed him for the 2024 BAL and Moroccan league seasons, and he joined Rwanda’s APR a year later.

Diarra is a terrific shot blocker, decent rebounder, and exceptional defender. However, he is far from being a prolific three-point shooter, which happens to be his weakest asset.

It’s his consistent performances that make him unique.

In his last 16 BAL games, Diarra recorded 14 double-doubles, making him the only player in league history to reach this mark.

He averaged 21.5 points and 13 rebounds in the first two games of the 2025 BAL season, setting a season-high six blocked shots in APR’s 92–63 win over Nairobi City Thunder on May 17.

Diarra's career averages are 20 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocked shots per game.

Fans inside the Dakar Arena chanted "MVP!" when he was substituted for the last time in the first game of the season. He graciously responded: "It's part of the business, and I have been working hard for moments like these."

However, when the 6-foot-9 power forward limped off the court with five minutes left in APR’s 103–81 win over MBB, apprehension filled the air among the team’s coaching staff, teammates, and fans.

Although no diagnosis of Diarra’s condition was revealed, APR head coach James Maye Jr. recalled during a postgame press conference that Diarra is crucial to their attempt to secure one of the conference’s two automatic playoff spots in June.

“Obviously, it’s scary for any coach to see a player need to leave the game, especially when the injury is non-contact. But we’ll stay hopeful and pray for him. We just have to wait and see.”

Diarra's young professional career has included time with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2024 Summer League. Although he didn’t earn a spot on the former NBA champions’ roster, he continues to build his legacy in the BAL with impressive performances.