The NBA is shutting its elite training facility in Senegal after eight years, with the NBA Academy Africa's development programme set to move to the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi. The Senegal-based centre opened in 2017 and trained roughly 110 players, producing alumni such as Khaman Maluach and Ulrich Chomche, both of whom reached the NBA.
According to the league, the relocation forms part of a wider global approach to elite player development, reflecting the growth in basketball opportunities across Africa since the academy was first launched.
The NBA said a single global academy will give top prospects more chances to train and compete regularly against leading players from different regions, while increasing their exposure to collegiate and professional coaches and scouts.
The NBA Academy Africa was set up to identify and develop some of the continent's top high-school-age prospects, offering a structured pathway towards college and professional basketball alongside education, leadership, character development, health and wellness, and life-skills training. Officials said the NBA Global Academy will now serve as the international development pathway for elite African players.
