He made this comment in an interview on the sidelines of the BAL’s Celebrity Game held in Accra recently that had African Basketball Legend Carlos Morais and two time Olympic Gold Medal winner Angel McCoughtry compete in.

Two time Accra Basketball League champions, Spintex Knights, made history by becoming the first Ghana club to progress from the BAL preliminary stage to the Elite 16 stage.

Despite having do-it-all Guard James Amotoe average 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and six assists, Knights missed out on progressing to the main competition but Manyo-Plange is adamant Knights’ run in the continental championship is progress for Ghana basketball and added that he expects Spintex to qualify next season.

BAL Vice President John Manyo-Plange

“They did a very good job in trying to qualify…but there is always next year for them to try again. The fact that we actually fielded a team for me, that’s progress, that’s the first step. Next year I expect them to qualify and moving actually play in the (main) BAL.”

Knights in action against Abidjan Basketball Club (red) James Amotoe Photo Courtesy: BAL

Fellow Accra Basketball League outfit Braves of Customs, represented Ghana in the competition in 2019.