It's a big first in Africa. Senegal hosts the first NBA Academy Showcase organized on the continent.
A meeting in which 71 young people from different academies
of the North American Basketball League around the world participate. A first
experience of huge scale for Abdou Khadre Kébé, a Seed Academy resident who,
like his other friends, intends to seize this opportunity.
"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." says Kebe.
Africanews correspondent Wahany Sambi reports that indeed
this was a very nice brood of future world basketball stars. "This NBA
Academy Showcase is a golden opportunity for these young talents to catch the
eye of the many scouts who have made the trip here to Saly, Senegal".
Sambo said.
For Frank Traore head Basketball Operations NBA Africa this
showcase gave scouts an opportunity to discover new talent.
"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".
NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in
Senegal for the top male and female prospects from throughout Africa and the
first of its kind on the continent.
The academy is a partnership between the NBA and SEED
Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a non-profit
organization based in Thies, Senegal, that uses basketball as a platform to
engage youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs.
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