Led by former University of Memphis standout Michael Dixon and former UConn big man Ater Majok, Tunisia’s US Monastir came from behind to win the 2022 Basketball Africa League title, defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 83-72 in the championship game.
Game Recap of the Basketball Africa League 2022 Finals game between @USMonastirBB and @petro_de_luanda #theBAL pic.twitter.com/afPepAsphL
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 28, 2022
After an impressive showing @USMonastirBB are crowned 2022 @theBAL Champions #theBAL #USMonastir pic.twitter.com/M8KvqAFZ0N
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 28, 2022
Monastir — who lost in the championship game of the BAL last year — was down 40-33 at the half and had cut that deficit to two but was still down entering the fourth quarter.
Dixon, who had 21 points to lead US Monastir in the championship game, won the BAL MVP award, named after Hakeem Olajuwon. Dixon averaged 16.5 points and 4.1 assists a game during the regular season.
US Monastir guard @M1keD1xonJR named Hakeem Olajuwon BAL Most Valuable Player #theBAL @USMonastirBB pic.twitter.com/29oQwsgDza
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 28, 2022
Gerson Gonçalves, the two-time Angolan league MVP, finished with 28 points to lead Petro de Luanda. His coach, José Neto, was named the BAL coach of the year.
US Monastir had advanced to the title game by knocking off defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt.
