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BAL s Ater Majok learned his work ethic from Lakers legend Kobe Bryant
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How hard was it to stop Kobe? (2:41)
From Jalen Rose to Metta Sandiford-Artest, Kobe Bryant s toughest rivals detail how difficult it was to guard him. (2:41)
US Monastir s Ater Majok has paid tribute to former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant ahead of the Basketball Africa League, telling ESPN that Bryant inspired his career after meeting Majok in high school for the first time.
According to Majok, who would go on to be drafted by the Lakers in 2011, the pair met when Majok attended a youth camp which Kobe hosted in Los Angeles, and the Sudanese-Australian promised the superstar that they would one day share a court.
Canal+, ESPN, beIN SPORTS, NBA TV, Tencent Video, TSN, American Forces Network and Voice of America to Broadcast BAL Games Around the World; Inaugural BAL Season Will Reach Fans in 215 Countries and Territories in 15 Languages; Rwanda’s Patriots Basketball Club to Face Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers in First BAL Game on May 16 at 4:00 p.m. CAT.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced partnerships with Canal+, ESPN, beIN SPORTS, NBA TV, Tencent Video, TSN, American Forces Network (AFN) and Voice of America (VOA) to broadcast BAL games throughout Africa and around the world. The inaugural BAL season will tip off Sunday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. CAT when Rwanda’s Patriots Basketball Club takes on Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
Everything you need to know about the NBA-affiliated Basketball Africa League
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Stoglin: J. Cole took someone s job in BAL (0:55)
AS Sale guard Terrell Stoglin sees the downside of rapper J. Cole playing in the Basketball Africa League, at the expense of other players. (0:55)
The inaugural 12-team Basketball Africa League (BAL) tipped off in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 16, more than a year after it was scheduled to start, and hoops fans have plenty to learn about Africa s premier domestic sides.
The BAL was initially scheduled to start on March 13, 2020 in Dakar, Senegal, but COVID-19 postponed the continent-wide event. The whole tournament was moved to a bubble in Kigali [fans were later allowed to watch in the arena in limited numbers] and the regular season was changed to a group stage format.