Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
NBA says Rwanda's APR team will remain barred from African basketball league
The NBA says Rwanda's APR team was withdrawn from the Basketball Africa League, known as the BAL.
APR is a top Rwandan basketball club backed by the country's military, and it represented Rwanda in the league in 2024 and 2025.
The NBA says US sanctions on Rwanda's defence force led to the withdrawal, and APR cannot compete while the sanctions remain in effect.
Senators Jeffrey Merkley and Marsha Blackburn had asked the NBA to explain its continuing partnership with Rwanda and whether it has a limit on accepting money from governments accused of human rights abuses.
Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the NBA follows US policy and condemns human rights violations, but did not directly answer the senators' questions about that limit.
The NBA says it will adjust its business as US policy changes; Rwanda has hosted nearly all the BAL's finals and playoff matches since the league began in 2021.
The NBA says Rwanda’s APR basketball team will remain ineligible for the Basketball Africa League while US sanctions are in effect.
The league says the military-funded team was withdrawn after the United States imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force.
The statement came in a letter responding to US senators who had urged the NBA to review its partnership with Rwanda.
The senators questioned the NBA’s relationship with Rwanda and whether it has a limit on accepting money from governments accused of human rights abuses.
The NBA said it follows US policy in deciding where and how to operate, but did not directly answer all of the senators’ questions.
- Who
- The NBA and Rwanda’s APR basketball team. US senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn questioned the NBA’s partnership with Rwanda.
- What
- The NBA said APR would remain ineligible for the Basketball Africa League while US sanctions are in effect.
- When
- The NBA’s response was reported on 3 November 2026; the BBC published its report on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- The Basketball Africa League, a pan-African competition.
- Why
- The NBA said APR was withdrawn after US sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force.
The NBA
Senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn
Approach to Rwanda partnership
The NBA
The NBA said it follows US policy in deciding where and how to operate and adjusts to changed circumstances.
Senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn
The senators urged the NBA to reevaluate its partnership with Rwanda and questioned whether it has a red line for accepting money from governments accused of human rights abuses.
The United States imposed economic sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force, and the NBA said APR was withdrawn from the Basketball Africa League.
Senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to the NBA questioning its partnership with Rwanda.
The deadline set by the senators for the NBA to provide a written response passed.
ESPN reported that NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said APR would remain ineligible while the sanctions were in effect.
- Team
- Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR)
- League
- Basketball Africa League (BAL)
- NBA deputy commissioner
- Mark Tatum
- Senators
- Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn
- Letter date
- 23 October 2026
- Response deadline
- 2 November 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Our business around the world is not one-size-fits-all, but in all instances we follow U.S. policy in deciding where and how to operate. And we condemn human rights violations wherever they occur.
Going forward, we will continue to adjust to changed circumstances as U.S. policy requires.
What is the NBA red line for accepting money from foreign governments that commit human rights abuses?