Boris Diaw Feels The Pulse Of The BAL’s Fifth Season As Al Ahli Tripoli Make Their Mark

Al Ahli Tripoli made history in Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), defeating defending champions Petro de Luanda 88–67 in the final to become the first team from the Road to BAL qualifiers to claim the title. It was a season of many firsts, a conference winner went on to win the championship, and for the first time, a BAL Coach of the Year, Fouad Chacra led his team to the title.

At the heart of Al Ahli’s triumphant campaign was Jean Jacques Boissy, who was named the 2025 BAL Most Valuable Player, while also claiming the Scoring Title with an average of 18.7 points per game. Boissy anchored the team on both ends, earning selections to the All-BAL First Team and All-Defensive First Team, a rare trifecta that reflects his all-around dominance.

As the confetti settled inside Pretoria’s SunBet Arena, the venue buzzed with the unmistakable energy of a league that’s beginning to embed itself into the global basketball consciousness. The atmosphere spoke volumes, about the growing appetite for the game, the hunger of emerging stars, and the potential for the BAL to not only grow within the continent but also to become a destination of choice for talent around the world.

Among those witnessing it all for the first time in person was Boris Diaw, a former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, longtime French national team player, and general manager of team France. Despite being familiar with the BAL from its inception through his relationship with BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall, this was his first time experiencing it court side.

“It’s the first time I’m coming, actually, to the BAL. It’s the fifth edition every time before, I couldn’t make it. So I’m really happy that I was able to make it after five years,” Diaw shared with Forbes.com during the playoffs in Pretoria.

What stood out to Diaw wasn’t just the skill level, but the emotional stakes. “You can tell they really want it,” he said, reflecting on what struck him most. “You can feel the tension on the court. That’s what I love, that’s what playoff basketball is about.”

He added: “In some leagues, players show up and they’re just mercenaries. But here, everybody is really into it. They care. That exceeded my expectations.”

A Game That’s Finding Its Identity

As someone who’s played on some of the biggest stages in the world, from the NBA Finals to the Olympics, Diaw has a sharp eye for style and structure. One of the most compelling aspects of the BAL, in his view, is the way African basketball is carving out its own identity while still evolving with the global game.

“African basketball is more athletic, more one-on-one,” he observed. “Players here have a lot more athleticism than you’d see in Europe. But it’s not quite like the NBA, and it’s not as structured as EuroLeague either. It’s somewhere in between.”

That blend, he explained, is a strength, not a gap. The BAL’s gameplay reflects how African players interpret and reshape the global basketball language on their terms.

“What’s exciting is how these different influences are starting to merge,” he said. “Everyone is feeding off each other, NBA, Europe, Africa. But at the same time, you can see Africa developing its rhythm, its style.”

The result is a product that feels distinctly African yet globally relevant, a style that celebrates athleticism and flair, but is increasingly matched with organisation and tactical discipline.

A Platform With Purpose in the Digital Age

For players navigating uncertain career paths, the BAL is evolving into more than just a seasonal competition, it’s becoming a credible launchpad for growth, visibility, and long-term opportunity. “Before, it was harder to get players to come,” Boris Diaw acknowledged. “Now, more and more are looking at the BAL as a real option, whether they’re just starting or looking to close their careers.”

What’s driving that shift is visibility, not just in Africa, but across the world. Through strategic partnerships with the NBA and G League, expansive media coverage, and accessibility via platforms like YouTube and NBA TV, the BAL offers something few regional leagues can: a global stage. “There are so many eyes on this league, it’s broadcast so widely, even more than some other leagues around the world,” Diaw said. “For players, it’s a great opportunity to come and show their talent.”

That visibility is amplified by the digital age. Social media, live broadcasts, and streaming have made the BAL accessible to players, fans, scouts, and executives around the globe. It’s this reach, and the sense of community it fosters, that’s turning the league into a movement.

Diaw sees a particularly powerful opportunity in countries like France, where large African diaspora communities are beginning to reconnect with the continent’s basketball scene through the BAL. “There are so many players in France with African roots,” he said. “And I’d love to see more of them come back, contribute, and play in the BAL.” Many of them already follow the league closely. “It’s all over social media. You hear about it. You see it. It’s global now.”

Whether you’re in Paris, Lagos, or Dakar, the BAL is no longer just a league, it’s a bridge. “It became so global and so easy to follow from everywhere in the world that I think all these countries are connected,” Diaw added. That interconnectedness, the feeling that this is a league for Africans everywhere, is part of what’s fuelling its momentum and securing its future.

A Generation Defined by Progress

Reflecting on his early days running basketball camps in Senegal in the early 2000s, Diaw recalled just how limited the infrastructure was. “There weren’t many indoor courts. There was just one old arena,” he reflected. “Now, you’ve got the big arena in Dakar. There’s the NBA Academy in Saly. New gyms in Thies. Things have changed.”

For Diaw, the transformation of basketball infrastructure is part of a much broader story.

“I remember going back to neighbourhoods in Dakar and seeing how much had changed, roads that used to be sand are now paved. That mirrors what’s happening in basketball. More courts. More youth programs. More support systems. It’s all moving in the right direction.”

And it’s not just the physical structures. Coaching, development pathways, and organisational leadership are evolving too.“The coaching is improving, the level of preparation is better, it’s not the same game it was 20 years ago and that’s a good thing.”

African National Teams: Then and Now

Diaw’s experience playing against African national teams spans nearly two decades, from the FIBA World Championship in 2006 to the 2012 London Olympics. Back then, teams like Nigeria, Tunisia, and Angola were fierce competitors but today, he says, there’s a noticeable shift in how African teams approach the game.

“It was always hard to play against African teams because of their different style,” he recalled. “But now, they’ve evolved even further. It’s not just that they’re physical or athletic, they’re smart, organised, and prepared.”

He pointed to South Sudan’s recent performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a standout example. “South Sudan is playing a new style of basketball, one that we haven’t seen that much over the years. They’re bringing something fresh and effective.”

What’s changed, in his view, is access. African coaches and players now have more tools than ever before to study the game, from international broadcasts to advanced analytics. “Now, everybody is learning basketball that’s more global and unified,” Diaw said. “That knowledge transfer is helping teams become more competitive at the highest level.”

The Road Ahead

Al Ahli Tripoli’s BAL title earns them a spot at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, where they’ll represent Africa against top clubs from around the world. For a team that started its journey in the Road to BAL qualifiers, it’s a remarkable full-circle moment. But for Boris Diaw, the bigger takeaway lies beyond the silverware.

“I came here expecting good basketball, good vibes,” he said. “But what I saw? The heart. The emotion. The fans. The competition. That exceeded everything.”

The crowd energy in Pretoria, the celebration after every hard-fought win, and the unfiltered passion on the court made it clear: The BAL is a competition of consequence, one that means everything to the players, coaches, and fans who are helping shape it.

“The way the players react when they win, how happy they are, how intense the games feel, that’s what basketball is supposed to be,” Diaw said. “You don’t always see that in every league. But here? You feel it.”