Al Ittihad’s George King was selected 59th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
The 2025 BAL playoffs get underway Friday in Pretoria, South Africa, as the top eight teams from the regular season aim for the title. Here’s what to look out for during the homestretch of season five.
- Al Ittihad (Egypt) – One of two unbeaten teams from the regular season, the storied North African sports club will be led by 2018 NBA Draftee George King, who averaged 16 points per game during Kalahari Conference group play.
- Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) – Nicknamed “The King’s Men,” the Port Harcourt-based organization will look to Madut Akec and veteran Kelvin Amayo to help bring the first BAL Championship to Nigeria.
- FUS Rabat (Morocco) – Despite finishing 2-4, the experienced club will lean heavily on guard Johnathan Jordan to make a playoff push.
- US Monastir (Tunisia) – Finishing first in the Sahara Conference, US Monastir is a serious contender to earn its second championship in three years.
- Petro de Luanda (Angola) – Yanick Moreira and Samkelo Cele lead the way as the defending BAL champions have reached the semifinals the past four seasons.
- Kriol Star (Cape Verde) – Ivan Almeida, 36, co-founded Kriol Star with his brother, Joel. The 6-foot-6 forward also was one of the top scorers this season, averaging 17.3 ppg.
- Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) – The other unbeaten team from the regular season (along with Al Ittihad), Al Ahli Tripoli has one of the best offenses in the league. Guard Jean Jacques Boissy led the BAL in scoring over the group phase, averaging 23.8 ppg.
- APR (Rwanda) – APR finished second in the Nile conference during the group phase. Former NBA two-way player Chasson Randle and 2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year Aliou Diarra will head APR’s attack in Pretoria.
Playoff Schedule:
Friday
- 10 a.m. ET – Kriol Star vs. Fus de Rabat
- 1 p.m. ET – Al Ahli Tripoli vs. Al Ittihad
Saturday
- 10 a.m. ET – Petro de Luanda vs. APR
- 1 p.m. ET – US Monastir vs. Rivers Hoopers
Sunday
- 10 a.m. ET – Quarterfinals
- 1 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals
Monday (6/9)
- 10 a.m. ET – Quarterfinals
- 1 p.m. ET – Quarterfinals
Wednesday (6/11)
- 10 a.m. ET – Semifinals
- 1 p.m. ET – Semifinals
Friday (6/13)
- 10 a.m. ET – Third-place game
- 1 p.m. ET – BAL Showcase
Saturday (6/14)
- 10 a.m. ET – Championship
All games will be available across NBA Digital platforms (NBA App, NBA.com, BAL YouTube) and on TheBAL.com.
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