Ryan Richards to compete in inaugural Basketball Africa League season

By Sam Neter on May 14, 2021

Ryan Richards will become the first British player to compete in the newly formed Basketball Africa League (BAL) next week, as the inaugural season tips off on Sunday.

Richards has signed with Angolan side Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda, who take on Malian side Association Sportive de la Police Nationale on Tuesday to open the season.

NBA Bubble Day 4… 👏🏽🏀 @theBAL pic.twitter.com/IykyUqaayP

— Ryan Richards (@ryanr1chards) May 9, 2021

Each of the 12 teams, which come from 12 African countries, will have up to 13 players (12 active and one inactive), at least nine of whom are citizens in their respective team’s home country and up to four of whom are from other countries, with no more than two players per team from outside of Africa.

Ben Uzoh, who joined Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers, is poised to become the first former NBA player to play in the BAL, whilst there are also nine players on rosters with NBA G League experience.

It is rapper J Cole who is drawing the most attention however, after it was revealed he will be playing for Rwanda’s Patriots side.

Matthew Bryan-Amaning was originally set to be the first Brit to compete in the BAL last year, leaving Surrey to sign with Egyptian side Al Zamalek, before COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the season.

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