Established as a joint effort between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and FIBA, the BAL is the highest tier continental league of Africa, replacing the FIBA Africa Basketball League.

[2][3] Initially the league planned to play in six venues in six countries; however, due to the pandemic the season was held in a bio-secure bubble in Kigali, Rwanda.

Meanwhile, six national champions directly qualified for the regular season to make a total of twelve teams in the main tournament.

Zamalek won the first-ever BAL championship after beating US Monastir in the finals and going undefeated over the season.

BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall, later announced at the NBA All-Star 2020 Africa Luncheon in Chicago, that the season was planned to tip off on 13 March 2020.

FIBA announced that the national champions of six member associations would be directly qualified for the regular season.

[13] Each of the FIBA Africa member associations was able to register one team from its country to participate in the qualifying tournaments.

The second-round games began 26 November and will end 22 December 2019, with six teams qualifying for the regular season.

[42] The format was changed to a group phase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was completely played at the Kigali Arena.

The BAL has faced criticism by The Guardian over its close ties with the Rwandan government in organising the league, using the league as a vehicle for sportswashing by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, pointing to ongoing repression and human rights abuses under his regime.