Since the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League in 2021, the league has attracted players from across Africa and the world. Players now yearn for opportunities to play on the African continent as the BAL brings together 12 best teams from 12 African countries.
Same could be said about Kwara Falcons guard Victor Ezeh who is to feature in the BAL for the first time when games in the Sahara Conference tipoff on March 11 in Dakar.
In a conversation with the NBA Academy Africa graduate, Ezeh said he is excited to finally play in the Elite league after he narrowly missed out last season.
“I got selected by Rwanda Energy Group Basketball (REG) but according to our coaches, they said I won’t be able to play for REG at the BAL because as at the time of the draft, I was in Atlanta for a tournament and I won’t have made it back in time for the BAL so someone had to take my place.
The Basketball Africa League launched the BAL Elevate in 2022, which placed one NBA Academy Africa player with each of the 12 teams.
“I felt bad missing the BAL. The tournament in Atlanta was a good tournament but not worth missing the BAL.”
“It is a thing of joy to finally play in the BAL this season, I wished I played last season but missed out narrowly.
Ezeh who will represent Kwara Falcons in this year’s edition of the BAL explained that he got connected to the team through Nigerian basketball legend Olumide Oyedeji.
Ezeh helped Kwara Falcons to win three consecutive tournaments in three months; the Sam Oguche Bullet Energy Tournament , NBBF Final 8, the Louis Edem Foundation Invitational tournament where he was crowned MVP.
Kwara Falcons will play reigning champions US Monastir, ABC Fighters, REG, AS Dounes and Stade Malien in the Sahara Conference.
The D’Tigers guard is confident about his team’s chances at the 2023 Basketball Africa League season.
”I hope to help my team win, gain experience and showcase my skill set at that stage. I think we have a great chance coming as an underdog. We can shock teams, ” he said.
OJB SPORT 