Developing the Game, One Coach at a Time

What happens off the court is just as important as what happens on it. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) coaching clinics provided insight into the critical role coaches and support staff play in developing the game across the continent.

Led by BAL staff member and former University of Georgetown forward Victor Samnick, who enjoyed a storied professional career in Europe before transitioning into coaching, this year’s coaching clinic sessions aim to deliver a “summer league”-style experience in each market. The goal is to equip coaches with practical tools to better support and develop their teams.

The clinics focus on five key technical areas: offensive and defensive identification, a Scouting 101 framework, formal game observation, defensive player development, and an introduction to advanced video scouting.

The sessions are led by a mix of experienced professionals across different areas of the game:

Victor Samnick (BAL): Offensive identification and ball movement
Ian Mahinmi (Former NBA player): Defensive identification
Wilfried Assembe (LA Clippers, NBA): Scouting
Emmanuel Mavomo (NBA Africa): Video scouting

Samnick emphasised how quickly young players can develop when guided correctly. He shared an example of a young girl he once coached who initially struggled to dribble with one hand, but within three days, had improved significantly through observation and structured coaching. “It’s your job to identify players who can evolve and absorb,” he said. “But don’t make it too hard for them.”

Former NBA player Ian Mahinmi highlighted that the true value of the clinics lies in practical application rather than information overload. “We pour a lot of energy into you, and we don’t expect you to retain all of it. What’s important is that you leave with at least one thing,” he said.

Mahinmi stressed that coaching goes beyond tactics. “It’s not just about the Xs and Os. Coaches must understand how to engage with young players. For many kids, coaches become a second parental figure. It’s about teaching values, shaping character, and helping players understand a bigger purpose.” He added that investing in coaches is essential for the league’s sustainability. “We are doing this because it is crucial for the growth of the league. Big markets like South Africa need strong coaches, structured programmes, and a solid development pipeline,” he emphasised.

Former NBA player and current BAL Ambassador known for his leadership on and off the court. Pops Mensah-Bonsu reinforced the importance of leadership in coaching. “Attitude reflects leadership,” he said, encouraging coaches to communicate clearly, to lead by example, and carry themselves with authority.

The Work Behind the Scenes

One of the most striking insights came from Emmanuel Mavomo, who highlighted the unseen work that goes into scouting and video analysis. He described it as the “boring job”, long hours spent watching full games or analysing footage on platforms like Synergy. “This allows the head coach and players to rest while the preparation is being done,” he explained. “But if you try to cheat the system, you might miss one clip or moment that could change the game.”

Wilfried Assembe also highlighted the growing opportunities in scouting across the continent. “To be a scout, you need to be basketball-savvy, whether from a player’s or a coach’s perspective,” he said. “It’s not a must, but having a strong basketball IQ helps a lot.” He encouraged aspiring scouts to pursue these opportunities, noting that roles in video analysis and scouting are becoming more accessible across Africa.

Georgetown basketball standout, former NBA player, and Now head of league operations at BAL, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje closed the session by outlining the league’s long-term vision. “Our goal is to build one of the premier basketball products in the world,” he said. “To do that, we must develop the entire basketball ecosystem, coaches, referees, and players.”

He acknowledged that while Africa has an abundance of athletic talent, there is still a gap in technical development. “It is important that we have the right coaches to develop players. That is why these clinics exist,” he said.

Boumtje-Boumtje emphasised that learning is continuous, regardless of level. "It doesn’t matter whether you’re coaching a neighbourhood team or a professional team, there is always something to learn. This knowledge can be shared across the continent.”

He ended with a powerful statement about the future of the league:

“We are going to need an African child to be the backbone of this league.”