Who are the star players heading to the Kalahari Conference?

There’s no question as to how basketball lives off team effort, but individual talent, which often carries teams to new heights, can never be overlooked.

And when the Kalahari Conference tips off on Saturday, March 9th, a number of individuals are expected to make their present felt and offer some jaw-dropping plays.

We bring you a list of individuals that are likely to impact, positively, the course of the next 12 Basketball Africa League (BAL) games at SunBet Arena in Pretoria until Sunday, March 17th.

Aliou Diarra (FUS RABAT)

The Malian center remains a real target of scouts, opponents and alike for his coolness and efficiency on both ends of the floor.

Winner of the 2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year award, Diarra emerges as one of BAL newcomers FUS Rabat’s pillars.

After spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2023 Summer League, the 22-year-old settled in Morocco where he ranks as one of the top performers in the league.

But it’s in the international stage that the 6’9 center tends to shine brighter.

He has been so impactful for FUS Rabat that when he under-performed in the BAL Qualifying round against SLAC, the Moroccan champions fell short 73-66 and when Diarra sat out the West Division Elite 16’s Third-Place game against Bangui Sporting Club due to a shoulder injury, FUS Rabat lost 93-90.

FUS Rabat secured their maiden BAL pass thanks to a 3-2 mark and a huge contribution from Diarra, who powered Stade Malien to the Third-Place in the BAL Season 3.

Jonathan ‘John’ Jordan (FUS RABAT)

Jordan is the type of guard FUS Rabat head coach Said El Bouzidi loves working with.

Energic defensively and aggressive attacking the rim, Jordan has become the go-to guy for the Moroccan champions in the domestic league and BAL qualifying round.
It was his three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining that rescued FUS Rabat from what looked like an imminent defeat against Bangui Sporting Club in the Group Phase of the BAL Qualifying.

Jordan’s three-pointer in the waning seconds of the game sent it to overtime where the FUS Rabat outscored the Central African Republic champions 90-89. The 5’10 guard finished with 28 points and 6 assists in the winning cause.

Childe Dundão (PETRO DE LUANDA)

Dundao has become a household name on the continent of Africa and beyond on his own right.

And the BAL has turned into his most revered platform.

Named to the BAL-All Defensive Team in Season 2, the 5’7 point guard runs and commands Petro de Luanda’s offense with precision and impressive leadership.

Dundão may be one of the shortest players in the BAL, but his gigantic impact on Petro de Luanda’s rotation is unique.

Carlos Morais (PETRO DE LUANDA)

At 38 years of age, Morais remains as impactful as ever.
His three-point’s precision and aggressive defense game make him a valuable piece to Petro de Luanda’s aspirations.

He had his best BAL display in a 91-90 win against eventual BAL Season 3 winners Al Ahly in Cairo.

In that memorable encounter, Morais was 8-for-11 from behind the arc to finish with a game-high 34 points.

A one-time FIBA Africa Champions Cup (2006) winner with Petro de Luanda, Morais was named the MVP of the 2012 edition of the tournament in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea even though Petro finished third.

Samkelo Cele (CAPE TOWN TIGERS)

The 25-year-old guard has been a breath of fresh air to the South African champions.

Named to the 2023 All-BAL Defensive Team, the Durban native’s aggressiveness on both ends of the floor is a major plus to the Tigers.

At 6’3, Cele loves attacking the rim with tremendous ferocity, making him a threat to opponents.

Billy Preston Jr (CAPE TOWN TIGERS)

Preston returns to Cape Town for his second BAL season, and it couldn’t be at the right time for the Kalahari Conference hosts.
As Cape Town chase their third straight BAL Playoff spot, Tigers fans will have a superb chance of watching Preston display his scoring prowess.

In his BAL debut in 2022, the former NBA G League forward averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists.

Dhieu Abok Deng (DYNAMO BASKETBALL CLUB)

The 22-year-old South Sudanese guard couldn’t be any happier to finally be able to make his BAL debut after frustrating attempts to display his game in the league.

Two years ago, the 6’5 super athletic guard led Cape Town Tigers in the BAL qualifying round, but he was a no-show in the Tigers’ roster in 2023 season.

Later last year, he powered Tanzanian outfit Pazi Basketball in the preliminary round of the qualifying round, but things went wrong to the Dar es Salaam-based team who came up short in the East Division Elite 16 round.

When Dynamo reached out to him, Deng accepted the offer with open arms.

Quick and aggressive, especially on the offensive end,
Deng is a major addition to the Burundian champions and a player to watch out in the Kalahari Conference.

Israel Otobo (DYNAMO BASKETBALL CLUB)

The 19-year-old Nigerian’s aggressive in the painted area proved vital for the Bujumbura-based side during the BAL Qualifying round.

The 6’8 center is the man coach Julien Chaignot will throw against taller, heavier and more experienced opponents.

And, in the words of Chaignot, Otobo is a force to be reckoned with in the BAL.

Honorable mentions: Abdelhakim Zouita (FUS Rabat) – MVP of the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup -, Markeith Cummings (Petro de Luanda) – 2016 FIBA Africa Champions Cup with Al Ahly SC – Yanick Moreira (2019 FIBA Champions League winner with Bologna/ 2017 NBA G League champion with Raptors 905).