Overview
- Cook told ESPN he was informed this week that APR BBC will not compete in the 2026 Basketball Africa League because of a U.S.–Rwanda political standoff.
- He had agreed to join APR BBC on March 5 and was preparing to travel before learning the team would withdraw from the league.
- ESPN reports preliminary BAL games in Pretoria and Rabat remain scheduled, with playoffs and the May 22–31 championship still expected in Kigali and APR BBC likely to be replaced by another Rwandan team.
- Earlier this year, Cook agreed to terms with Esteghlal BC in Iran but chose not to go over safety concerns tied to escalating U.S.–Iran tensions.
- The two-time NBA champion said he is training in Maryland and is open to signing with another BAL team.