THE 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season is now in its final stage, with the semifinals concluded and attention shifting to Sunday’s final and third-place game. The Big Tip Off writer, Sandisiwe Msibi, has compiled a list of standout players who have defined this year’s tournament, highlighting those who have delivered record-breaking performances, historic efficiency, and consistent two-way impact throughout one of the most competitive seasons in BAL history.
Craig Randall II – RSSB Tigers
At the centre of the offensive explosion stands Craig Randall II, whose 2026 campaign has been unlike anything the BAL has seen before. Averaging 36.6 points per game, he leads the league in scoring by a remarkable margin, separating himself from the rest of the field.
Randall leads the BAL in seven statistical categories: points, field goals made and attempted, three-pointers made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted, a rare level of dominance across all scoring areas.
He averages 37.8 minutes per game, the third-highest in the league, carrying one of the heaviest offensive loads in professional basketball. The gap between Randall and the second-leading scorer stands at 14.1 points per game, larger than the gap between second place and fifteenth.
His most defining performance came against Dar City during the Kalahari Conference at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, where he set a BAL single-game scoring record with 54 points. He finished 19-for-34 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line, overcoming constant double-teams and defensive pressure to deliver one of the most dominant performances in league history.
Jo Lual Acuil – Al Ahly Libya
The 2024 BAL MVP has built his 2026 season on pure interior dominance. Leading the BAL with a 58.9% field-goal percentage, he operates almost entirely around the basket, finishing efficiently with positioning, strength, and touch.
He averages 10.0 rebounds per game, consistently controlling the glass and generating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he adds 2.0 blocks per game, anchoring the paint and providing one of the most reliable interior presences in the league.
Donovan Williams – Al Ahly Libya
Donovan Williams averaged 21.6 points per game and is ranked third in the league. It was the shooting splits that separated him from every other volume scorer: 56.8% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 81.5% from the free throw line.
No player in BAL history had come this close to the 50-40-90 club, and Williams achieved these numbers while carrying a significant offensive load for a team that reached the final four.
Zachary Lofton – Al Ahly Egypt
Zachary Lofton arrived in the BAL as a proven scorer, but the 2026 season showed there was far more to his game than putting points on the board. Averaging 18.5 points per game, Lofton established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons while proving that high-volume scoring could still come with efficiency and control.
What elevated his game even further was his playmaking. His 5.3 assists per game revealed a player capable of reading defences and punishing teams that focused too heavily on stopping his scoring.
His standout performance of the season came on May 5, when he exploded for 32 points and knocked down 8 three-pointers in Al Ahly Egypt’s 85-65 victory over JCA Kings, a win that secured the team’s playoff spot.
Lofton’s 32 points were the highest individual scoring performance in the Sahara Conference that season, surpassing Jonathan Cisse’s 30-point outing
Mangok Mathiang – RSSB Tigers
Mangok Mathiang is the type of two-way player championship teams rely on. Averaging a double-double of 16 points per game and 14.5 rebounds per game, he is impacting games through effort, positioning, and physical presence.
While his defensive influence does not always appear fully in the box score, opponents constantly felt it around the rim. He alters shots, protects the paint, and helps control possessions on defence. Offensively, his 52.8% field goal percentage shows his ability to convert opportunities created through hustle and smart positioning
Sixth Man: Chile Dundão – Petro de Luanda
If the All-Star team needs someone to steady the game when the starters rest, Childe Dundão is the ideal choice. His 6.0 assists per game kept the offence flowing smoothly, consistently finding open shooters and cutters with smart, well-timed passes.
What truly separates Dundão as a sixth man is his efficiency. He shot a BAL-best 88.0% from the free throw line and 44.1% from the field, making the most of every possession without forcing the action. His 2.1 steals per game also brought valuable defensive energy, disrupting opponents and creating transition opportunities before defences could recover.
Whether it was setting up a teammate or stripping a ball handler at half court, Dundão provided exactly what every championship-calibre bench needs: composure, efficiency, and energy in crucial moments.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for all the latest feature stories and previews of events on the African continent.
