The National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday named NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa Amadou Gallo Fall as President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The BAL is a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa scheduled to begin play in 2020.
The NBA says Fall will take up his role as BAL President immediately and continue assisting in the transition and search for a new Managing Director of the NBA in Africa.
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum said Fall was an ideal choice to lead the Basketball Africa League given his efforts to grow basketball and the NBA’s business across Africa.
“This historic initiative will not only further enhance the game in Africa but also provide new opportunities in media, technology and infrastructure on the continent,” Tatum said.
The announcement about the NBA and FIBA’s launch of the BAL was made at the NBA All-Star 2019 Africa Luncheon in Charlotte in February.
The BAL will mark the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.
Fall is a Senegalese native who joined the NBA in January 2010. He helped open the league’s office in Johannesburg, South Africa in May 2010. Additionally, he has directed the NBA’s grassroots basketball development initiatives and partnerships with various companies in Africa.
Fall, who previously worked for the Dallas Mavericks, is credited with expanding the NBA’s grassroots and elite development efforts across the continent.
Fall played a key role in opening The NBA Academy Africa in May 2017, where 25 elite male prospects ages 14-20 received scholarships and training after scouting programs.
