Basketballghana.com can report Egyptian side Zamalek Basketball Club has emerged winners of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) inaugural edition.
Zamalek beat Tunisian side US Monastir 76-63 earlier today at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda to clinch the NBA-FIBA Africa Tournament trophy.
In a close game played before a rich collection of administrators and executives including BAL President Amadou Fall and former basketball stars including Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, it was the Egyptian Champions that emerged the winner.
Michael Fakuande led all players in scoring with 15 points in 20 minutes and his Zamalek teammate Walter Hodge added 12 points and four assists.
For Monastir, Center Romdhane Makrem led the way with a 14 points, 10 rebounds double double iwith Marcus Crawford adding 14 points in the contest.
BAL President Amadou Fall presented the title, designed in the shape of a baobab tree which is native to Africa, to Zamalek to conclude the well organized tournament that commenced on May 16.
Zamalek’s Hodge and Anas Mahmoud were awarded Most Valuable Player Award and Defensive Player of the Year Award respectively named after legendary African basketball figures Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikember Mutombo.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
