There were twelve teams vying for the first season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and after an extremely shortened competition (six matches for the two finalists), it was finally Zamalek (Egypt) who won the title in winning 76-63 against US Monastir (Tunisia).
At Kigali Arena in Rwanda, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall presented Zamalek with the first championship trophy, which depicts a baobab tree, known as the “tree of life” in Africa.
On the sidelines of the competition, the BAL unveiled the names of the first winners of the end-of-season awards. The Hakeem Olajuwon award rewards the MVP and it is Walter Hodge (Zamalek) who ends the competition with 15.5 points, 5.7 assists and 5 rebounds on average.
His teammate Anas Osama Mahmoud (Zamalek) was awarded the Dikembe Mutombo trophy, which rewards the best defender of the season with his 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
Finally, Makrem Ben Romdhane (US Monastir) received the BAL Manute Bol sportsmanship award for “ having embodied the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie« .
