Photo credits BAL/ Cheick Haidara
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For the first time in Basketball Africa League (BAL) history, a Libyan club has lifted the trophy.
Al Ahli Tripoli capped off a dream debut season by defeating reigning champions Petro de Luanda 88-67 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria to win the 2025 BAL Championship. And at the heart of it all was veteran Egyptian big man Assem Marei, who delivered a dominant performance with 22 points and 19 rebounds in nearly 40 minutes of action.
“It still feels unreal,” Marei told VSport after the final. “I’m exhausted, but I’m grateful and happy. This was special.”
Chemistry, Resilience, and a Bigger Dream
Despite being newcomers to the league, Al Ahli Tripoli looked nothing like it. Their cohesion, hunger, and intensity carried them through a stacked playoff bracket—and Marei says chemistry played a key role.
“With high-level players, chemistry comes naturally with time,” he said. “For us, it clicked in a game or two, and that was the key to winning this championship.”
Marei, who has played all over Europe and the Middle East, praised the structure and ambition behind Al Ahli’s project—and especially the investment made by the Libyan Federation in the development of the sport.
“You can see the hunger in this organization. They really want to grow basketball in Libya, and you can already feel the impact. I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
With this title, Al Ahli Tripoli not only enters the BAL history books but also earns the right to represent Africa at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore later this year.
What’s Next for Marei?
After back-to-back championships in two separate competitions within 20 days, Marei’s next dream is simple:
“Right now? Rest,” he laughed. “I played two championships this month. I just want to relax, eat well, sleep, and breathe for a moment.”
Advice to the next generation
For younger players aspiring to reach this stage, Marei offered grounded advice based on experience:
“It might sound cliché, but just work hard every day. Sometimes it doesn’t show, but it always pays off. I’m almost 33 and I’ve won two titles in 20 days. So stack those days, work hard, and it will always show.”
And what’s the secret to a long career?
“I try to last, but for now — eat well and sleep. That’s the magic. That’s all I’ll say.”
A Title That Goes Beyond Basketball
Al Ahli Tripoli’s victory marks a turning point—not just for Libya, but for the BAL. With 141,564 fans attending games this season, and broadcasts reaching 214 countries in 17 languages, the league is becoming a true global showcase for African talent.
In the final, Jean Jacques Boissy was named 2025 BAL MVP, while Aliou Diarra of APR took home his second Defensive Player of the Year award. For the first time in BAL history, players received championship rings—bringing the experience one step closer to the NBA standard.
As for Marei, the ring will serve as a reminder of a long journey that began in Cairo and now spans continents.
