AS Douanes head coach Mamadou Gueye is the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) coach of the year, thanks to his team's record at the tourney, officials announced before the start of the third-place game on Friday, May 26. The 44-year-old led AS Douanes to the semi-finals despite this being their first time in the league. Douanes eliminated title favorites Petro de Luanda to advance to the finals. AS Douanes started the season with a 0-2 mark, but in a turn of events, they won the remaining three games of the Sahara Conference. The Senegalese champions beat reigning champions US Monastir (76-60) on the last day of the Conference to finish with a 3-2 record and qualify for the playoffs. Gueye’s team continued their sensational campaign with a semi-final 92-86 win against title contender Petro de Luanda on Wednesday. Gueye’s AS Douanes are currently on a five-game winning streak. The team faces Al Ahly in the 2023 BAL Final on Saturday, May 27. Gueye holds an overall win-loss record of 6-5 dating back to the BAL inaugural season when they finished 1-3. He becomes the second coach to win the award since it was introduced in 2022. Petro de Luanda’s Jose Neto won the 2022 coach of the year award. Criteria for the coach of the year award - according to the BAL - a coach must have: developed a mutually respectful relationship with the league, game officials, media, opponents and fans; as well as had the best results based on the resources at their disposal. The nomination process is decided by head coaches and two assistant coaches. A coach cannot select a member of his or her team.
