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Nigeria's Obe, Ighovodja and Abass among 12 NBA Academy Africa Prospects from Seven Countries Selected During Second BAL Elevate Draft.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) announced the 12 NBA Academy Africa prospects from seven African countries who will join the 12 BAL teams for the league’s 2023 season as part of the second edition of the “BAL Elevate” program.
The 2023 BAL season will tip off on Saturday, March 11 at the Dakar Arena in Dakar, Senegal, and will once again feature a total of 38 games in Dakar; Cairo, Egypt and Kigali, Rwanda over three months.
The second BAL Elevate Draft took place virtually on Friday, Feb. 24, with each BAL Team President selecting one NBA Academy Africa prospect to join their respective teams for the 2023 BAL season.
BAL Elevate, which was launched prior to the 2022 BAL season, provides an opportunity for top prospects from NBA Academy Africa, an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal, to showcase their talent on a global stage and help their respective teams compete for the BAL Championship.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall speaking on the initiative said, “The inaugural group of BAL Elevate players who joined our league from NBA Academy Africa last season not only showcased their talent and potential but also contributed greatly to the improved play in season two.
“We have received terrific feedback from the teams and coaches who worked with the players, some of whom went on to sign with NBA G League Ignite or commit to NCAA Division I schools in the U.S.
"We look forward to watching this year’s class contribute to their respective teams and continue their development on a global stage.”
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12 NBA Academy players drafted by BAL
The BAL Elevate player pool was made up of prospects who currently attend NBA Academy Africa. The draft order was determined by a random draw of the 12 BAL teams.
BAL Elevate players will not share in the prize money awarded to the top BAL teams at the end of the season to preserve their amateur status. Below are the BAL Elevate players selected by each team:
Several players who participated in the inaugural BAL Elevate program last year went on to sign with professional teams or commit to NCAA Division I schools in the U.S.: Babacar Sane (Dakar University Club; Senegal) signed with NBA G League Ignite, Rueben Chinyelu (Mozambique’s CFV Beira; Nigeria) committed to Washington State University.
Others are Joy Ighovodjia (Rwanda Energy Group; Nigeria) committed to the Oral Roberts University; and Emmanuel Okorafor (Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Espoir Fukash; Nigeria) committed to the University of Louisville.
The 2023 BAL season opener will feature AS Douanes (Senegal) taking on Abidjan Basket Club (Côte d’Ivoire) on March 11.
US Monastir (Tunisia) will begin its title defense on Sunday, March 12 against Stade Malien (Mali). Fans can purchase early bird tickets at a preferential rate by visiting BAL.NBA.com.
Complete BAL team rosters and additional details about the 2023 BAL season will be announced in the coming days.
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