The opening game of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) tips off later today at 14:00 GMT at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda. Home side Patriots take on Rivers Hoopers from Nigeria. (Click highlighted text to watch game promo)
This competition was scheduled to commence in March, 2020 with games to be hosted in cities across the continent; however, the onset of the corona virus pandemic forced organizers to postpone the start date and have the tournament staged in a bubble.
12 teams representing 12 nations will compete in the NBA-FIBA Africa tournament and teams have been drawn into three groups with the top two teams in each group progressing to the next stage. The best two third placed teams in the preliminary stage progress as well.
One game series will determine winners of the playoffs to confirm winner of the first ever edition. Patriots Guard Jermain Cole popularly known in Rap circles as J Cole has made the headlines after registering to compete as a player.
The multiple time award winning Rapper practiced with his team for the first time in the immediate past week after completing a mandatory four day quarantine.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
