Glamour & Splendor Defines BAL Season 2 Opener

It feels like Hatem Ahmed and Zamalek won the BAL championship just a few days ago, and yet, a new championship is upon us.

After a period full of major signings and trades, the Basketball Africa League raised its curtains on March 5, with a star-studded matchup that saw home side DUC, take on the Seydou Legacy Basketball Club.

Quite astonishing the kind of work that has been done by BAL Pres. Ahmadou Gallo Fall in combo with NBA Deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum.

The great Dirk Nowitzki didn’t miss out on the party as he sent a message to his close friend Gallo, hours before the kick-off.

‘Hey Gallo, this is Dirk – congratulations on everything you are building down there with the BAL and NBA Africa, keep doing your thing…. You are the man, good luck with everything and all the best,’ were the words of the Dallas Mavericks hall of famer.

Prior to the opening game, Senegalese musician and percussionist – Mbaye Dieye Faye lit up the stage. So did legendary guitarist, Baaba Maal, and a piece of hip-hop from RNB star rapper, Dip Doundou Guiss.

The old guards (DUC) participating in their second BAL championship gave SLAC loads of hard moments in the first two quarters, and led 45-37 at halftime.

DUC didn’t however know what hit them in the third and fourth quarters, as SLAC put up a dominant display to rally and win with a massive 15 points difference (85-70), with an ‘on fire’ Marcus Crawford.

Crawford crawled slack to a historic victory registering 30 points, 2 assists and 4 rebounds. The championship continues till March 15, with other exciting games to follow.