[Atlantic Council] Set to tip off on May 16, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has finally arrived. Delayed a year by COVID-19, the BAL represents the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s first investment in an NBA-branded league outside of North America and the most consequential US recognition of the African sports sector to date. The league offers a platform for the champions of Africa's domestic leagues to compete for a continental title, with twelve teams qualifying for this year's inaugural season, to be played in
