NBA in Talks to Host First Ever Preseason Game in Africa

• NBA is in talks to host the first-ever preseason game in Africa.
• The league held three exhibition games in Africa in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
• Reports indicate the game could be played in Africa as soon as 2024.

NBA will host its first-ever preseason game in Africa if discussions are successful according to Basketball Africa League (BAL) president Amadou Gallo Fall.

Africa and NBA have a deep connection not only with African players in the NBA but also with several developmental clinics and exhibition games.

The NBA partnered with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on the BAL, which is set to begin its third season on March 11. The league also has regional offices in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos (Nigeria) and Dakar (Senegal).

Before the global pandemic, the NBA frequently held the annual Basketball Without Borders camp for African basketball talent. The program discovered talents like All-Stars Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam, per FIBA.

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NBA preseason in Africa

According to ESPN, the discussions are centered on having two NBA teams face off in Africa. The league has previously held three exhibition games in Africa in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Amadou Gallo said the attraction of previous exhibitions makes an NBA preseason game an exciting prospect.

"This was always part of the plan. Those Africa games that were hosted before, the crowds were just incredible. I know this is going to happen, and it is in the plans."

Location and time are yet to be discussed but reports indicate they can come as soon as 2024 and would be played in BAL venues.

The BAL hosted a combine in Paris, France on Sunday and Monday and are hoping to attract players from the African diaspora to the league, according to

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"We are looking for a way for us to expose African club teams to global talent in a way they do not usually have access to," BAL vice president John Manyo-Plange.

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