RSSB Tigers have been crowned the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) champions after defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88, becoming the first-ever Rwandan team to win the BAL Championship.

The 2026 BAL season set records across attendance, social media engagement, and partner support as more than 110,000 fans attended BAL games this season, including record attendance for the group phase games in South Africa and Morocco. 

Tigers guard Craig Randall II won The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player Award. 

Randall recorded per-game averages of 36.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists during the season, setting a BAL record for most points in a game when he scored 54 points against Tanzania’s Dar City on April 4.

Tigers went 6-2 during the Kalahari Conference group phase and Playoffs, defeating Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Egypt’s Al Ahly in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Championship. 

Libya’s Al Ahly Ly defeated Al Ahly 106-98 in the third-place game earlier today.

The BAL has also announced the Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sportsmanship Award winner, All-BAL First Team, All-BAL Second Team, All-BAL Defensive First Team, All-BAL Defensive Second Team and Ubuntu Award winner. 

2026 BAL Coach of the Year

RSSB Tigers head coach Henry Mwinuka led the team to a 4-1 record and first-place finish in the Kalahari Conference group phase before leading the team to its first BAL Championship.  Mwinuka is the first Tanzanian to win the award.

2026 BAL Defensive Player of the Year

RSSB Tigers center Mangok Mathiang received The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy after helping his team to a 7-2 record and recording per game averages of 16 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

2026 BAL Sportsmanship Award

Al Ahly Ly point guard Mohamed Sadi received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

2026 BAL Ubuntu Trophy Presented

On May 27, Nairobi City Thunder forward Ariel Koranga was honoured with the 2026 BAL Ubuntu Award in recognition of his efforts in his native Kenya to use basketball to empower young women. 

Through a program that combines basketball training with mentorship, education, life skills and mental health support, he has reached more than 300 athletes across the country, including from underserved communities.