Adama Alpha Bal

PROFILE

Season review- January 2024
By Artau Pascual

As expected after landing in Santa Clara, Bal has taken a remarkable offensive leap. Adama Bal is handling huge on-ball duties. The best of his game comes when he's able to find his spots off movement: he has the speed, change of pace ability and footwork to be a good off-screen player, with scoring potential at multiple levels in this role -he's a solid mid-range shooter who can also get to the rim taking advantage of the dynamism and size despite not being crafty or an above-average vertical athllete-, and he also understands well the amount of attention he draws and uses it to deliver the ball to his teammates. Bal has also improved as a spot-up shooter and has value as an off-ball threat. He struggles a little more to initiate halfcourt offense from a standstill because he's not a great advantage creator.

U20 European Championship- July 2023
By Artau Pascual

Lengthy swingman. Does big strides, covers a lot of ground and does a good use of his wingspan to provide versatility to his team on the defensive end. On offense, as a secondary initiator in spot-up drives, both driving and dishing or getting his buckets at the rim, and also was confident at shooting, although results weren’t consistent at all. He was active off the ball. On the defensive end, he could take care of almost every perimeter player in the tournament, and the mix of size and athleticism of the French NT put him in the right spot to thrive as a nail helper. Turned defense into offense with steals or pushing the pace after grabbing the defensive board.


FIBA U16 European Championship Division A - August 2019
A fulfilled backcourt in France limited his minutes in the tournament. Bal was one of the most intriguing bodies in the championship: an impressive wingspan in a superskinny body combined with a natural shooting ability and a remarkable feel for the game. His lack of strength didn’t allow him to produce a lot for his team offensively and defensively. Still a project but an interesting one.