Top 10 Basketball Clubs in Africa and Their International Reach

Brief Summary

• The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has elevated African clubs onto the continental and global stage, with several teams now competing in FIBA Intercontinental Cups.
• Clubs like Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly, Zamalek SC, and US Monastir dominate both their domestic leagues and international tournaments, showcasing Africa’s growing basketball power.
• Rising teams such as Rivers Hoopers, Stade Malien, and Al Ahli Tripoli highlight the sport’s rapid development across Nigeria, Mali, Libya, and beyond.

Deep Dive!!

Over the last decade, basketball has grown significantly and expanded across Africa. Thanks to the Basketball Africa League (BAL), African clubs now have the opportunity to play against one another at the continental level and even earn a spot in international competitions such as the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. 

Some clubs have grown into great giants, becoming renowned throughout Africa and even beyond, winning local championships year after year.

In this article, we discuss the top 10 basketball clubs in Africa and their impact on both the continental and international levels.

10. Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria)

The Rivers Hoopers, founded in 2005, have won six NPL championships, with the most recent win being in 2024. They’ve also bagged a number of regional honours. They have made appearances in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) three times (2021, 2024, and 2025), finishing third in 2024 after winning the Sahara Conference.

NBA connections have had a great impact on the team with All-BAL selections like Devine Eke and previous players like Festus Ezeli and Ben Uzoh. Their victory in FIBA Africa Zone 3 in 2018 helped Nigeria win the 2015 AfroBasket and acted as a springboard for international potential.

9. Stade Malien (Mali)

Founded in 1960, Bamako's Stade Malien has won 25 Malian Cups and a record 19 Ligue 1 crowns. They have placed third once and second twice in FIBA Africa (1972, 1989). They qualified for the 2025 BAL after taking third place in 2023, making them the first Malian semi-finalists. Mali's basketball development is aided by their continental runs, and BAL exposure opens doors abroad.

8. AS Douanes (Senegal)

AS Douanes has been tremendous with an amazing trophy cabinet since its inception in 1980: 11 Senegalese Division 1 League titles, 9 Cups, and 13 Mayor's Cups, a total of 38 trophies.

They have been a mainstay of the BAL since 2021, having advanced to the quarterfinals in 2021 and 2024 and placing second in 2023.

Their talent is showcased by players like Chris Crawford and Jean Jacques Boissy, who are both on the All-BAL First Team. Although there are currently no direct NBA affiliations, Senegal's international rosters (from Nigeria, the USA, etc.) demonstrate expanding worldwide relationships tied to their five AfroBasket victories.

MORE READ: Top 10 African Female Basketball Players Making Global Waves

7. Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)

Al Ahli Tripoli, established in 1950, is Libya's basketball beacon in the city. They have won three Super Cups, five Cups, and eight Libyan League titles. Their breakthrough? capturing their first continental trophy by defeating Petro de Luanda in the final and being undefeated in the 2025 BAL. 

They have twice advanced to the quarterfinals of the Arab Championship. They have made Libya famous by qualifying via the Road to BAL and attracting international attention with the help of imports like Jaylen Adams and MVP Jean Jacques Boissy. In the face of regional difficulties, their recent success is raising their profile internationally.

6. AS Salé (Morocco)

From Salé city, AS Salé, Morocco's enduring power, was founded in 1928. They have won a record 12 Throne Cups and nine Division Excellence crowns. They were runners-up in 2018–19 with several thirds and won the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, Morocco's first in 20 years. 

They made it to the BAL quarterfinals in 2021 and have advanced to the Arab Championship final five times. With ties to Morocco's 1965 AfroBasket victory, players like Terrell Stoglin and Abdelhakim Zouita have excelled. Their reach is increased by the foreign talent they draw from their steady continental play.

5. Al Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt)

Al Ittihad, Egypt's "Masters of the City," was established in 1914 and is a major force in Alexandria. They have won three Super Cups, fourteen Cups, and sixteen Egyptian Super League titles. They have a record seven Arab Championships and won the 1987 FIBA Africa Champions Cup on the continent. 

With consistency, they pushed deep and hosted conferences in BAL. Egypt has established their global presence by winning five AfroBasket golds thanks to this club's Arab and African victories.

ALSO READ: Most Decorated African Basketball Countries 2025 (Men’s Team)

4. US Monastir (Tunisia)

Established in Monastir since 1959, US Monastir has become the basketball standard in Tunisia. They have won six cups, a Federation Cup, and nine Tunisian League championships, most recently in 2023–2024. 

They are the 2022 BAL champions (first for Tunisia), the 2021 runner-up, and the third-place finishers in the 2017 FIBA Africa Club Championship, demonstrating their international talent. US Monastir placed fourth in the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup and won the 2012 Maghreb Championship.

3. Zamalek SC (Egypt)

It's difficult to top Zamalek's basketball team, which has been a part of the renowned multisport club since 1937. They have won 23 Cairo League titles, 13 Cups, 3 Super Cups, and a record 15 Egyptian Super League titles. They became the first BAL champions on the continent in 2021, and they won the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup in 1992 after finishing in second and third place several times. 

Zamalek have even ventured into Europe, participating in seven FIBA European Champions Cups (1970–1982) and setting a record of three EuroLeague victories for African teams. They were fourth in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2022.

2. Al Ahly (Egypt)

Al Ahly is an institution, not merely a basketball team. One of Africa's oldest, it was founded in 1930 and has its origins in Cairo's thriving sports culture. They have won 24 Egyptian League titles and 15 Egyptian Cups. As the first Egyptian team in the contemporary age, they won the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup in 2016 and dominated the BAL in 2023, defeating AS Douanes in the championship match. They have also won the 2021 Arab Championship and two African Cup Winners' Cups. Their worldwide high point? They were the first African club to defeat an NBA G League team (Ignite) in the history of the tournament when representing Africa at the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

1. Petro de Luanda (Angola)

Petro de Luanda is a club that epitomises "African basketball royalty," if any. Since its founding in 1980 following Angola's independence, this team has been a mainstay in the Angolan League, winning an incredible 18 national championships, the most recent of which came in 2024–2025. 

They have also won 10 Super Cups, 15 Angolan Cups, and 12 AfroBasket titles. Petro finished second in 2022 and 2025 but won the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup thrice (in 2006 and 2015) and the BAL in 2024. They have also finished second six times in FIBA Africa. NBA scouts have taken notice of their BAL runs, confirming their status as a gateway to professional leagues across the globe.