Adama Bal talks breakout season, NBA Draft and more

I caught up with Adama Bal to discuss his breakout junior season at Santa Clara. Named First Team All-WCC, he averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, sparking NBA intrigue with his unique offensive attack, characterized by long strides, nifty changes of speed, and polished touch around the rim with his 6-foot-11 wingspan.

Bal, who stepped onto the Arizona campus at just 17 as the youngest player in college basketball, reflected on his growth and the lessons learned throughout his two seasons there. We also discussed transitioning from an end-of-the-rotation player to being at the top of scouting reports, France's growing NBA pipeline, and his mindset heading into the NBA Draft Process.

Reflecting on your breakout season at Santa Clara, what went into it? Expected? Rewarding? What was it like adapting to being at the top of every scouting report? And what's something you learned from Arizona that helped you along the way? 

This season at Santa Clara was a real opportunity for me to show what I was capable of. I knew before the season that the coaches believed in my abilities and that they were expecting me to have a great impact on the floor. 

It was rewarding for all the hard work that I have put in every day even when I was not playing at Arizona, waiting for an opportunity like this to come. It was definitely challenging at first to be at the top of scouting reports, being my first real season experiencing that, but it also gave me confidence because it showed that teams knew that I was a good player.

I learned a lot of things at Arizona, especially during my freshman year. We had a stacked team with three draft picks and it showed me what it takes to get to the next level. The level of attention to detail in every aspect of the game is something that I learned when I was there and that is helping me a lot along the way.

What has basketball meant to you growing up, and how proud are you to see France at the forefront of emerging NBA talent, with Wemby, Bilal, Sarr, Risacher, yourself, and many others leading the way?

Basketball has always been my number one sport. I started it at a really young age and it was the only sport I played. My Dad played basketball and my Mom played too so it was really a family thing. I think that it’s really good that we get recognition for the talent that we have in France, we have a lot of NBA prospects and talented players all over the country and I feel like it’s going to keep growing, it’s something special for sure.

If an NBA General Manager could only watch one game of yours from this past season, which game would you have them watch and why?

I will say the Gonzaga game, not only because of the game-winner but more because of the way I impacted the game without necessarily scoring the ball. I was able to involve my teammates, get steals, take and make good shots when necessary, and close the game by making the right play in the last couple of possessions.

Watching your game, your floater sticks out, have you always had great touch?

Yes, growing up I was not the tallest player on the court... I kind of grew up late into my body, so I had to find ways to score in the paint. The floater ended up being my go-to and I just kept it even when I got taller.”

What's the next step in your development?

I would say consistency, keeping a big impact on games even when I am not shooting the ball well, and finding ways always to put pressure on the defense.

What’s your mindset approaching this Draft process?

I am taking every opportunity that I have in front of me at a time. Every workout is going to be the most important workout. I am here to show that I am an NBA player.