Two months ago, RSSB Tigers earned the opportunity to represent Rwanda in Season 6 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The Tigers replaced APR at the continental club showpiece after the army side was silently forced to withdraw from the competition.
In designating the slot to the Tigers, the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) cited the club’s domestic competitiveness and success, including wins in both the 2025 Rwanda Cup and 2026 Super Cup, and its readiness to compete on the continent.
And during regular-season play, Henry Mwinuka’s charges took the opportunity with both hands, advancing to the playoffs from the Kalahari Conference, played at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, with a 4-1 record.
The Tigers carried the momentum into the playoffs, which culminated in being crowned the 2026 Champions after defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 on Sunday night at a packed-to-capacity BK Arena in Kigali, becoming the first team from Rwanda to win the BAL Championship.
With the win, the RSSB Tigers earned the right to represent Africa at the next edition of the FIBA InterContinental Cup in Singapore in September.
The Tigers staged an incredible comeback in the second quarter following a porous start to the game that had them trailing by as many as 20 points, with Aboubacar Gakou, who netted a team-high 28 points, leading Petro de Luanda.
During the comeback from 20 unanswered points to start the game, Craig Randall II, who was later named the league MVP, started to take charge and finished with a game-high 33 points.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented the RSSB Tigers with the BAL Championship Trophy and Randall with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player Award.
The BAL 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
On May 27, Nairobi City Thunder forward Ariel Okall 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 those from underserved communities.
2026 All-BAL First Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| Guard | Childe Dundão | Petro de Luanda |
| Guard | Craig Randall II | RSSB Tigers |
| Guard/Forward | Donovan Williams | Al Ahly Ly |
| Forward | Majok Deng | Al Ahly Ly |
| Forward/Center | Mangok Mathiang | RSSB Tigers |
2026 All-BAL Second Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| Guard | Omar Abada | Club Africain |
| Guard | Zachary Lofton | Al Ahly |
| Guard/Forward | Kevin Murphy | Al Ahly |
| Forward | Aboubakar Gakou | Petro de Luanda |
| Forward/Center | Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. | Al Ahly Ly |
2026 All-BAL Defensive First Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| Guard | Childe Dundão | Petro de Luanda |
| Guard | Mohamed Sadi | Al Ahly Ly |
| Guard/Forward | Aminu Mohammed | Club Africain |
| Forward | Mouhamadou Diagne | FUS Rabat |
| Forward/Center | Mangok Mathiang | RSSB Tigers |
2026 All-BAL Defensive Second Team
| Position | Player | Team |
| Guard | David Michineau | Dar City |
| Guard | Axel Toupane | ASC Ville de Dakar |
| Guard/Forward | Majok Deng | Al Ahly Ly |
| Forward | Osayi Osifo | Al Ahly |
| Forward/Center | Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. | Al Ahly Ly |
