The NBA has withdrawn Rwanda's army team, APR, from the Basketball Africa League (BAL) due to U.S. sanctions imposed on the nation. The sanctions target Rwanda's army for its alleged role in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a letter dated October 23, U.S. Senators Jeffrey Merkley and Marsha Blackburn had pressed the NBA for a response regarding its partnership with Rwanda, questioning the league's stance on accepting funds from governments accused of human rights abuses. They specifically asked how the NBA reconciles its partnership with Rwanda with its stated commitment to justice.
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum confirmed in a response that the APR basketball club had been withdrawn from the BAL. The team will remain barred from the league for as long as the U.S. sanctions are in place. APR, one of Rwanda's leading basketball teams, had represented the country in the BAL in 2024 and 2025, achieving a third-place finish in its most recent participation. It has been replaced in the league by the RSSB Tigers.
The BAL, co-organized by the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has held its playoff and final matches in Rwanda for all but one season since its inaugural year in 2021. Reports indicate the NBA receives millions of dollars annually from Rwanda for marketing and partnership rights.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has previously criticized Rwanda's high-profile international sports endorsements, including deals with the NBA, European football clubs, and Formula 1. DR Congo argues that these partnerships help Rwanda improve its international image while the conflict persists in its eastern regions.