Top Players to watch in the 2025 Nile Conference

A variety of players could take over the 2025 Nile Conference and lead their teams to new heights.

From newcomers to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) to those whose names have been celebrated across BAL arenas, the Kigali showcase won’t be short of exceptional performers.

From May 17 to 25, the Rwandan capital will welcome four teams competing for spots in next month's BAL Playoffs and will host a celebration of African basketball.

BAL.NBA.com examined the final rosters of the conference and selected ten players to watch closely during the six days of games in Kigali.

Mohamed Sadi (Al Ahli Tripoli)

These days, it’s nearly impossible to talk about the recent progress of Libyan basketball without mentioning Sadi.

A versatile guard, he was the heart and soul of Al Ahli Tripoli during the Road to BAL qualifiers. He averaged 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4 assists in six games.

His pivotal contributions to the Libyan national team set a FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers record, making him the only player in the competition to register a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 steals in the 89–82 overtime win over Nigeria. Sadi finished a rebound shy of a quadruple-double.

Caleb Agada (Al Ahli Tripoli)

Agada, a 2021 Tokyo Olympian with Nigeria, seems to have stolen the heart of Al Ahli Tripoli coach Abou Chacra Fouad during the second round of the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers in Tripoli earlier this year.

Agada led Nigeria to a 3-0 record, helping the former African champions reverse a 0-3 record from the first round and qualify for the African Championship in Angola in August.

In the game against Libya, coached by Fouad, Agada finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, helping Nigeria upset the hosts 75–70.

In three qualifier games, the 31-year-old guard averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

This will be Agada’s BAL debut.

Jaylen Adams (Al Ahli Tripoli)

Jaylen Adams, a 6-foot point guard who signed two-way contracts with the Atlanta Hawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Milwaukee Bucks during his NBA career, is set to help Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli in a mission to reach Pretoria for the postseason.

Adams boasts an Australian NBL title with the Sydney Kings from the 2022 season. He was named the season's MVP.

Dane Miller (APR)

Miller is perhaps one of the most recognizable faces in the BAL in recent times and is set to play his fourth season in the league.

The American-Ugandan player, who excels at running offensive plays and playing aggressively on defense, is set to begin his fourth season in the BAL.

He played for Guinea’s SLAC in 2022 and 2023 before joining Uganda’s City Oilers last season.

Aliou Diarra (APR)

If any player needs no introduction to the BAL, it's Malian power forward Aliou Diarra.

In his BAL debut in 2023, the 6-foot-9 Diarra helped Stade Malien secure third place and won the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Diarra excels on both ends of the floor, scoring or protecting the rim with a unique ferocity. It's no wonder he's on his third BAL team after playing with Morocco’s FUS Rabat last season.

Youssoupha Ndoye (APR)

The co-captain of the Senegal national team is poised to make his debut in a club competition in Africa.

The 6-foot-11 center has spent most of his professional career in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. However, at 33 years of age, Ndoye—who played for the G-League team Austin Spurs at one point in his career—has accepted an offer to represent the Rwandan champions.

A formidable shot blocker, Ndoye is a significant addition to APR.

Tylor Ongwae (Nairobi City Thunder)

Ongwae, the most celebrated Kenyan player in modern times who spent a significant part of his professional career in Europe helping the German team Niners Chemnitz win the 2024 FIBA Europe Cup, is back in the BAL.

He is best remembered in the African basketball scene for his buzzer-beating three-pointer that secured a 74-73 victory over Angola in the 2021 AfroBasket qualifiers. This victory secured Team Morans a place at the 2021 AfroBasket and was Kenya’s first win over the eleven-time African champions.

Ongwae played for the Ivorian team ABC Fighters in the 2023 BAL season, but they lost to Petro de Luanda in the quarterfinals.

Garang Ding (Nairobi City Thunder)

No City Thunder player had a greater impact than Ding during the 2025 Road to BAL qualifiers.

The 24-year-old South Sudanese player led the Kenyan champions with team highs of 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

He is a real talent to watch out for in Kigali.

Robinson Opong (MBB)

Opong is an exceptional three-point shooter who is on his way to his third BAL season. He played for Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers in the inaugural BAL season in 2021, and then for City Oilers in 2024.

Opong currently holds the AfroBasket Qualifiers record for the most three-pointers made in a single game (9).

Nkosinathi Sibanyoni (MBB)

During his three seasons with the former South African champions, the Cape Town Tigers, Sibanyoni made a name for himself, mainly because of his rebounding and ability to finish plays near the basket.