National Basketball Association - The African Mirror

Jan

2023

The NBA aims for a slam dunk in Africa after a successful tryout in Senegal, Rwanda

AFRICA’S fledgling basketball league has received another shot in the arm after France and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a series of initiatives to prop up the game on the continent as the latter seeks to expand its global footprint and reach new fans. Last week, France and the NBA said they would pump investments into basketball infrastructure in Africa, including building multipurpose facilities that can host Basketball Africa League (BAL) and NBA games. French President Emmanuel Macron and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also unveiled a comprehensive plan to collaborate on various initiatives that will elevate basketball in France…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

How Obama’s backing for NBA Africa venture could boost basketball on the continent

SPORT

FORMER US President Barack Obama’s decision to invest in the National Basketball Association’s Africa venture reflects a lot about his past – his basketball playing youth and his African roots. It also signals that his future ambitions stretch beyond US borders. JOHN NAURIGHT, Dean, Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business, Mount St. Mary's University, Mount Saint Mary College SARAH ZIPP, Lecturer, Faculty of Health Science and Sport, University of Stirling The Basketball Africa League was launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The inaugural competition consisted of 12…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal

SPORT

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal BOITUMELO RANTAO MASAI Ujiri arrived in Toronto in 2013 and, after growing his reputation as one of the most sought after executives in professional basketball, has been named vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors, the only National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Canada, had the pleasure of winning the 2019 Championship with Ujiri at the helm. Ujiri is also a polarizing figure in basketball for his many acts of global philanthropy through his Giants of Africa organization. More recently, Ujiri has attended the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL)…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner

NEWS

FORMER U.S. President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner to help advance social responsibility efforts across the continent, the National Basketball Association has announced. Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa. "By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa's young people," Obama said in a news release. "I've been impressed by the league's…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

All set for Cape Verde Praia League

SPORT

ON the island of Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, the Praia Basketball League was created with high ambitions. Founded by Overseas Connection CEO and former professional basketballer, Antonio De Pina, the league has attracted high-level talent from around Africa and North America to Africa's best kept secret. The Praia League hosted their inaugural draft on May 16 2021, and held training camps and combines prior for the six teams competing on the tropical Island to scout the athletes for talent. De Pina was also featured in Forbes Africa 30 under 30 picture: Instagram “This will be the…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

River Hoopers splash new signings

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RIVER Hoopers have added American duo Chris Daniel, Taren Sullivan and National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion Festus Ezeli to their roster ahead of the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Nigerian outfit has set about assembling a powerhouse squad for the first installment of the competition. Ezeli won the NBA Championship in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately injuries limited Ezeli's time in the NBA in 2015-16 - He was planning a comeback before signing with the River Hoopers. In his final season with the Warriors, Ezeli averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s new NBA weapon

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO DENVER Nuggets guard Monte Morris has committed to play for the Nigeria national team, providing a major boost for the country in the 2021 Summer Olympic to be held in Tokyo. Morris will play for Nigeria head coach Mike Brown on a roster that includes Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Jordan Nwora, among others. Nigeria’s roster is on the verge of adding more talent to an already dominant national team. In his fourth season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Morris is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 assists in 27.2 minutes in the 2020-2021 campaign. Nigeria…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Mismanagement crippled SA basketball

SPORT

LEE NXUMALO BASKETBALL, once the fastest-growing sport in South Africa, now hardly has recognisable leagues or talents. A group of campaigners have come together to get it thriving and growing again. He increased popularity of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on the global front and the presence of African-born players in the league has given basketball cultural currency among the continent’s youth. Even though basketball had a presence in South Africa since apartheid, its popularity reached its peak only in the late 1990s. At one point, it was considered the fastest-growing sport in the country and on track to becoming…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

South Sudan women’s basketball team – stars on the rise

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH Sudan is still on a high after their senior men’s team qualified for their maiden African Basketball championship (AfroBasket) tournament, and the prospects of the women’s team replicating the same feat are looking greater and greater. President of the South Sudan basketball federation, and former National Basketball Association (NBA) All-star, Luol Deng has helped provide the world a glimpse of what South Sudan as a basketball nation is capable of. Deng saw his senior men’s team qualify for the International Basketball Association (FIBA) AfroBasket tournament, scheduled for late-August 2021 in Rwanda, in their first time of asking.…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Praise for Nigerian star at the NBA Finals

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) President Musa Kida has praised Miami Heat and Nigerian National team player, Gabriel Nnamdi Vincent, who has become the first Nigerian national team player to qualify for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals. President Kida praised Vincent’s commitment and work ethic during the season. "Just early this year, Gabe was playing in the G-League with Stockton Kings before his hard work and consistency was recognised which earned him a two-way deal with Miami Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce.” Vincent earned a national team callup after a stellar year in the NBA G-League which saw…