Senegal has made history as it hosts the inaugural NBA Academy Showcase in Africa, bringing together 71 young basketball players from various academies affiliated with the North American Basketball League from around the world. Among them is Abdou Khadre Kébé, a resident of Seed Academy, who, like his peers, is eager to make the most of this opportunity.
“It’s a thrilling experience for most of us to be on such a big stage. We’re excited and giving our best to showcase what we’ve been working on all year. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to prove ourselves,” says Kebe.
According to Frank Traore, the Head of Basketball Operations for NBA Africa, this showcase allows scouts to discover new talent. “It’s crucial for scouts from all over the world to feel comfortable in Africa, and particularly here in Senegal, to see what these young players have to offer to the basketball world. Many of them have the skills to play in the NBA right now. We have a few players who I believe will make Africa proud in the years to come,” says Traore.
NBA Academy Africa, located in Senegal, is an elite basketball training centre for top male and female prospects across Africa. It is the first of its kind on the continent and is a partnership between the NBA and SEED Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a non-profit organisation based in Thies, Senegal, that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic, and leadership programs.