May 30 (Reuters) – Nigerian Chinemelu Elonu scored 11 points and claimed 12 rebounds as Egyptian side Zamalek won the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), defeating Tunisian outfit Union Sportive Monastir 76-63 in the final in Kigali on Sunday. Zamalek guard Walter Hodge, who previously played for the University of Florida, was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player. The 12-team BAL is organised by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is their first foray outside North America. The NBA announced this week that they have created a new entity named NBA Africa in partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which will co-ordinate its operations on the continent, including future BAL tournaments. “(This) is the result of many years of investment and on-the-ground work to grow the game of basketball in Africa and a recognition of the enormous opportunities ahead for the NBA on the continent,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 30, 2021 16:30 UTC