Latest news with #JrNBA
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
NBA Africa Breaks Ground On 1,000-Court Mission In Rwanda
NBA Africa and Opportunity International unveil new basketball court at Highland School in Nyamata, ... More Rwanda Africa is home to the youngest population on Earth; more than 70% of its people are under 30. But while youth drive the continent's demographic growth, access to safe spaces for learning, play, and mentorship remains limited. In response to this pressing need, NBA Africa has launched a bold initiative: to build 1,000 basketball courts across the continent over the next decade. Of that ambitious total, 10%, or 100 courts, will be developed in partnership with Opportunity International, a global organisation focused on unlocking economic potential in underserved communities. Together, the NBA and Opportunity International aim to create not just basketball courts, but high-impact hubs of youth development across Africa's fastest-growing markets. The initiative's rollout began in Nyamata, Rwanda, where the newly built court at Highland School is already buzzing with energy. The site hosted a Jr. NBA clinic for 100 children, held during the BAL's Nile Conference, currently taking place in Kigali. For many of these children, it marked their first structured introduction to the game and to a vision of what's possible. Among all the potential sports for driving development, why should basketball become a priority? According to Randy Kurtz, Executive Vice President of International Programs and Capital Solutions at Opportunity International, the answer is both strategic and personal. 'As I've learned, basketball is the largest and fastest-growing sport in Africa,' Kurtz stated following the unveiling of the first court in Nyamata, Rwanda. 'So it's the perfect partner.' Basketball offers more than just popularity; it is a sport characterised by its accessibility. With just a ball, a hoop, and a court, it can be played in both urban and rural settings. Its high global visibility and relatively low barriers to entry make it an ideal platform for skill-building, aspiration, and mobility. KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 22: President Amadou Gallo Fall of the Basketball Africa League walks on the ... More court following a game between the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club and the Gendarmerie Nationale Basketball Club at Kigali Arena on May 22, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images) For Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the moment signals the league's mission: growing the game from the grassroots up. 'Making the game of basketball accessible to young boys and girls… remains a critical pillar of our efforts,' Fall said. 'It all starts with infrastructures like this.' Though the BAL Finals have been hosted in Kigali since the league's inception, Fall is clear, the league's impact must go beyond elite competition. 'We want to continue to now, beyond just bringing the BAL, [ask] how do we make sure that young people who want to play the game have safe places to play and learn?' The collaboration between Opportunity International and NBA Africa is about far more than pouring concrete. It's a blueprint for inclusive, scalable access, built on local partnerships and sustainable programming. 'This comes out of personal relationships,' said Kurtz, referencing how longtime NBA supporter Sam Garvin helped connect the organisation to league leadership. 'But with the NBA's support, we now have a clear path to reach 500,000 youth over five years.' Structured programming, anchored by the Jr. NBA curriculum, introduces students to the fundamentals of basketball, teamwork, and life skills. It's not just about building courts; it's about building character, confidence, and community. 'We use the curriculum that the Jr NBA has and combine it with the good work being done at schools. That's how we scale,' Kurtz explained. The rollout will continue across 10 African countries where Opportunity International already operates, starting with Rwanda and Kenya, with room to grow based on need and demand. 'There's no limit,' Kurtz added. 'We could go to countries where we are not.' But infrastructure alone isn't enough. Central to the effort is the development of local coaching talent, the people who will guide young players not only in sport, but in life. 'As important as the physical infrastructure is,' Fall emphasised, 'it is equally important to make sure we have experts who can teach the game.' These coaches become local leaders and role models, instilling discipline, teamwork, and ambition. By investing in their training and progression, the program ensures the impact goes far beyond the court. 'We want to build capacity among young coaches and allow them to advance,' Fall said. 'This Jr. NBA clinic is just the beginning.' Africa's demographic trajectory underscores the urgency. As cities expand and economies shift, the need for physical and social infrastructure becomes even more critical. In this environment, sport has emerged as one of the most effective tools to bridge education, economic mobility, and youth empowerment. Basketball, in particular, is uniquely positioned to meet the moment. With low costs, high visibility, and proven developmental impact, it is becoming a new language of opportunity for Africa's next generation.
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Basketball legends hail impact of Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League after conclusion of fourth edition
Abu Dhabi: Basketball legends Danny Green and Gary Payton praised the impact of the Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League after it recently concluded its fourth edition with the finals event at NYU Abu Dhabi. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The competition was launched in November by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and the National Basketball Association. At the closing ceremony, Green and Payton presented awards to the champions of the fourth annual Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League, including the Raha International School Khalifa City Campus (Dallas Mavericks), the British International School (Milwaukee Bucks), ADQ (Golden State Warriors) and the ADQ (Boston Celtics). The associate vice president for global partnerships at NBA Europe & Middle East, David Watts, was also present at the event. This season the Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League expanded to four leagues and 122 teams, with 1,830 players from Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain participating. The program is part of a multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi, which has included six preseason NBA games in Abu Dhabi since 2022. The Jr NBA is the NBA's global youth basketball program for boys and girls, focused on teaching fundamental skills and core values of the game — teamwork, respect, determination, and community — at the grassroots level. The league aims to promote these values and inspire youth to lead an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in sport. Arab News spoke to Green and Payton after the event. Danny Green As a three-time NBA champion, what does it mean to you to see programs like the Jr NBA inspiring young athletes here in Abu Dhabi? It truly means a lot. I remember being a kid with big dreams, and basketball gave me the opportunity to travel the world — to visit places I only imagined. Being in Abu Dhabi now, and seeing how the game is growing here, is incredibly humbling. The fact that young players are picking up a basketball because they've watched me play — that's something I never expected. It's surreal, and honestly one of the most rewarding parts of my career. How important is it for you to help develop not just basketball skills, but also values like teamwork and respect, which the Jr NBA emphasizes? It's huge. The reality is not everyone will make it to the NBA — but the lessons you learn through basketball go way beyond the court. Things like leadership, communication, respect, and doing things the right way — those are values that apply to life in general. Those lessons translate into life and any career path. The leadership, the camaraderie, the ability to work with others — those are universal skills that can help shape your future in a meaningful way. From your experience visiting Abu Dhabi, what potential do you see for basketball culture to grow in this region? There's real potential here. Every basketball nation has a starting point — look at France or Serbia, countries that weren't always seen as global forces in the game. Now they're among the best. Growth takes time, but with the passion I've seen in Abu Dhabi, and with initiatives like the Jr. NBA, there's no doubt this region can become a serious player in the basketball world down the line. This is how it begins. What advice would you give to young players who dream of following in your footsteps and making it to the NBA one day? My biggest advice is: don't give up. Stay focused, stay persistent, and don't take no for an answer. Use your resources, work hard, and believe in yourself. I came from a small town in Long Island — nothing was handed to me. If I could make it, so can you. And it's not always about being the most talented or athletic — look at guys like Steph Curry or Steve Nash. They weren't the biggest or fastest, but they perfected their craft. If you're putting in the work while others are sleeping, you're already ahead. Gary Payton You played the game with incredible passion and grit — how important is it for young Jr NBA players here in Abu Dhabi to develop that same mindset early? You know, that kind of mindset — the hunger to compete and love the game — has to come from within. You can't force it on anyone. Kids have to grow into it and decide for themselves how much they want it. What helps is putting them in a competitive environment. When they're on the floor, going up against each other, something clicks. They start wanting to win, they feel that drive — and that's when the mindset starts to form. My advice is not to push kids into something they don't love. Instead, create the space for them to be challenged and discover that passion for themselves. As someone who came through tough basketball environments, how do you view the impact of organized grassroots leagues like the Jr NBA on a young athlete's life? Leagues like the Jr. NBA are everything for these kids. We're dealing with a different generation now — one that needs more structure, more guidance. That's why having an organized system like this is so important. It teaches them how to play the right way, how to grow as competitors, and how to adapt to the way the game is constantly evolving. You only get better when you play against the best — and programs like this bring that level of competition and structure to young players in countries around the world. It gives them something to strive for. What has impressed you most about the talent or enthusiasm you've seen from the kids here in Abu Dhabi? What stands out to me is their passion and willingness to learn. You can see it — they're not just here to play for fun, a lot of them truly want to understand the game. And with the NBA bringing preseason games to the region and showing up in person, it's helping these kids realize that this game is real, that it's something they can dream about and work toward. They watch these players on TV, use them on video games — and now they're seeing them live, right here. That fuels their ambition. The skill level and potential I've seen here is impressive, and that's why the NBA is investing in this region. If you could give one piece of advice to the Jr NBA players today about chasing success both on and off the court, what would it be? Honestly, my first piece of advice is about life off the court. Because the reality is, not everyone will make it to the NBA — and that's the truth. So it's about being well rounded. Focus on school, focus on your books. You can be successful in so many ways — not just through basketball. You can be great in business, in art, in anything you put your mind to. Basketball might not be the path life has planned for you, and that's OK. But whatever you do, set goals and work hard, both on the court and off. Have something you're striving for, no matter where life takes you.
