Origin: The Story of the Africa Basketball League: A Game Changer for the Continent

Had the absolute honor of meeting two living legends:

🏀 Masai Ujiri — Giants of Africa co-founder, former Raptors President & Vice-Chair, and exec producer of Origin: The Story of the Africa Basketball League

🏀 Amadou Gallo Fall — President of the BAL (Basketball Africa League) and a true pioneer of the game on the continent

The Story of the Africa Basketball League, isn’t just about basketball, It’s about rewriting a global narrative that for far too long has been warped by misconceptions about Africa.

The documentary captures the birth of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), co-founded by Masai Ujiri and led by Amadou Gallo Fall, and it dives deep into the struggles, triumphs, and groundbreaking potential of professional basketball on the continent. The very first game took place in Kigali, Rwanda, a city with its own powerful history and that moment carried an energy that can never be replicated. As Amadou himself said, “There’s never another first.”

Breaking Myths & Building Dreams
For decades, Africa has been painted as a continent defined only by struggle. This league is living proof that the opposite is true: Africa is brimming with massive, untapped talent. The BAL is showing that players don’t need to leave Africa to live their dreams. The infrastructure may be lacking, the training opportunities limited, but the talent? Overflowing.

Even J. Cole suited up to play in the BAL, a move that sparked controversy, but also brought global eyes to the league. And as more American players come over, they’re realizing something important: they’ve been fed lies and misinformation about Africa. The reality is different, and it’s attracting Black Americans in search of connection, belonging, and purpose.

Economic Power Beyond the Court
This is bigger than basketball. The BAL is creating jobs on and off the court. When an arena gets built, it doesn’t just serve players. It employs cleaners, food suppliers, security, vendors, and an entire ecosystem of workers who benefit from this growing sports economy. This is a model for economic growth, a driver of opportunity, and a roadmap for how prioritizing sports infrastructure can transform entire communities.

The Weight of History
One of the most striking moments in the film was when Amadou shared that someone once called him, shocked, saying: “I can’t believe this is happening in Africa.” That disbelief is exactly what must be overcome. Basketball in Africa shouldn’t feel like an extraordinary exception. It should feel normal, expected, even. Africa has been a contributor to the world since the beginning of time, yet it hasn’t reaped the benefits. The BAL changes that dynamic.

A Ghanaian’s Pride
For me, watching this unfold hit differently. To see this level of investment in a country like Rwanda, a nation that has gone through so much and to see it shining on the global stage, it’s beyond inspiring. As a Ghanaian, I left the screening beaming with pride.

The BAL is more than a basketball league, it’s a movement. It’s proof that Africa can be a hub of talent, culture, and economic power without needing validation from the outside world. This is a game-changer. And the world better get ready, because Africa is just getting started.