Senegal hosts first NBA Showcase in Africa

Senegal hosts the first NBA Academy Showcase organized on the continent, in which 71 young people from different academies of the North American Basketball League around the world participated.

Abdou Khadre Kébé, a Seed Academy resident who, like his other friends, aims to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience says; “For most of us, it’s the first time we’re in a big stage. So, we are very excited about it and we try to give the best of ourselves. It’s a great opportunity already because it’s what gives us the opportunity to show what we’ve been working on all year. So, we give it our all to be able to make results.”

NBA Academy Africa is the continent’s first premier basketball training center for top male and female prospects from around Africa, located in Senegal. The school is a collaboration between the NBA and SEED Project, a non-profit organization located in Thies, Senegal that uses basketball as a platform to engage adolescents in academic, athletic, and leadership initiatives.

Frank Traore, the head of the Basketball Operations NBA Africa says this showcase will give NBA scouts an opportunity to discover new talent on the continent.

“It’s very, very important that scouts from all over the world can come and feel comfortable in Africa, in general, but especially today here in Senegal, to see these young people, to see what these young people have to offer to the basketball world. Many of them have the level, right now, to play in the NBA. We have a few that I think and hope will make Africa proud in the NBA in the years to come,” said Frank Traore.