Basketball Africa League Appoints Sam Vincent As Camp Director for 2025 BAL Combine

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has appointed 1986 NBA champion and Olympian Sam Vincent as Camp Director for the 2025 BAL Combine, scheduled for January 10–12 in Rabat, Morocco. The scouting event, hosted at the Ibn Yassine Omnisports Hall, will feature over 30 aspiring players from Africa, Europe, the U.S., and beyond. Vincent will lead a coaching staff that includes participants from the Africa Coaches Program held during the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to have Sam Vincent join us as BAL Combine Camp Director ahead of our pivotal BAL milestone fifth season,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.  “Sam has been an active and integral part of our basketball development efforts in Africa, including the inaugural 2003 Africa 100 Camp (Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp in South Africa.  For many years, Sam has worked tirelessly as a coach and mentor, supporting the growth of the African basketball ecosystem.  His experience at the highest levels as a professional player, National Team Head Coach, and NBA Head Coach will be invaluable assets for Combine players, coaches, and our league.”

Vincent’s seven-year NBA career saw him play for the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic. Transitioning to coaching in 1992, he achieved remarkable results on the international stage, including leading Nigeria's women's national team to the first-ever Olympic victory by an African nation in women's basketball at the 2004 Athens Games. He also guided Nigeria's men's team to the second round of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Vincent’s appointment underscores the BAL’s commitment to fostering talent and strengthening the African basketball ecosystem as the league prepares for its landmark fifth season.

The BAL’s milestone fifth season will tip off on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco and culminate with the 2025 BAL Finals on Saturday, June 14 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the first BAL games in Morocco and the first time the BAL Finals will be held in South Africa.  The 2025 BAL season will feature the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing 48 games in Rabat; Dakar, Senegal; Kigali, Rwanda; and Pretoria.

The 12 teams will once again be divided into three conferences of four teams each.  Each conference will play a 12-game group phase during which each team will face the other three teams in its conference twice.  The Kalahari Conference group phase will take place from April 5 – Sunday, April 13 in Rabat.  The Sahara Conference group phase will take place from Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, May 4 at the Dakar Arena in Senegal.  The Nile Conference group phase will take place from Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 25 at BK Arena in Kigali.  Eight teams from across the three conferences will qualify for the Playoffs in Pretoria, which will tip off on Friday, June 6 and culminate with the 2025 BAL Finals on Saturday, June 14.