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Rabat – A new collaboration between the American National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has resulted in the creation of the Basketball Africa League.
The NBA announced the launching of the new Basketball Africa League on Saturday, February 16.
The Basketball Africa League will start in January 2020, with teams competing from nine countries: Angola, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The countries will hold qualification tournaments later this year to determine the teams that will play in the African pro league.
Pepsi and Nike’s Jordan brand have reportedly expressed their interest in being part of the Africa league.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the importance of basketball in Africa.
“The Basketball Africa League is an important next step in our continued development of the game of basketball in Africa,” said Silver.
“Combined with our other programs on the continent, we are committed to using basketball as an economic engine to create new opportunities in sports, media and technology across Africa,” added Silver.
Several NBA players of African origin have welcomed the NBA’s expansion into Africa.
However, the African pro league will only have 12 clubs competing that will be determined in the qualification matches later this year.
