Adama Bal didn’t even have time to pack his bags. Signed yesterday by Memphis via a 10-day contract, the French winger immediately played his very first NBA game in the Grizzlies’ victory against the Bulls (125-124).
The elevator was express for Adama Bal. A few hours after his signing was made official, Memphis threw him into the deep end against Chicago.
The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a 10-day deal with Adama Bal, agent Yann Balikouzou of LIFT Sports Management told @hoopshype. The 6-foot-7 French forward has spent this season with the Westchester Knicks. Prior, he was a two-time All-WCC First Team selection at Santa Clara. pic.twitter.com/lBH6JDDWgl
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 28, 2026
And the 22-year-old Frenchman was entitled to a real baptism, with playing time far from being anecdotal: 28 minutes for 3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 interceptions, all in a victory snatched at the wire by the Grizzlies. His first basket in the league? A shot from the parking lot in full money-time.
Adama Bal hits the clutch corner 3 to give the Grizzlies the lead – his first points in his NBA career (with a replay)
Giddey scores at the other end pic.twitter.com/3g9Br7avWT
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) March 29, 2026
So yes, spoiler: it’s obviously not the cleanest night for shooting, with a 1/8 shooting including a 1/5 from afar, but for a first NBA outing improvised almost in the wake of a contract signed the same day, there was above all experience to be gained and minutes to be swallowed. Memphis, and square tank weighed down by injuries and allowed to strengthen with short contracts, offered him a real chance. He thus joins his colleague Rayan Rupert at the Oursons.
We therefore have 22 French people under contract in the NBA, almost half of the franchises with at least 1 French player, a monster who is at the heart of the discussion of the best player in the world and the cracks who will continue to come and take the plunge.
The France of basketball ❤️🇫🇷
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) March 28, 2026
Passed by the Federal Center, Arizona, then Santa Clara, Adama Bal comes out of a G League season with the Westchester Knicks, where he averaged 7.4 points in 18.4 minutes over 29 games. This time, here he is with the big guys, and he won’t have to wait long before tasting his first NBA night.
