NBA don close im only elite basketball training academy for Africa, and e end di Senegal-based programme wey dey prepare young players from across di continent for professional opportunities. Di league plan say dem go concentrate academy training for one new global centre for Abu Dhabi, where African prospects go compete with players from oda regions for slots.
Di Saly facility open for November 2018 and e combine basketball development with education and support for teenagers. Around 110 students train through di programme, according to one former academy official. Former players include Cameroonian Ulrich Chomche and South Sudanese Khaman Maluach, both examples of di route wey di academy create between African basketball and opportunities abroad.
Di closure and di Abu Dhabi move na Reuters report am on October 1 after dem talk with current and former officials. NBA describe di decision as change for im global player-development strategy, not say dem don end dia work for Africa. Dem point to programmes wey still dey run for di continent, including Basketball Without Borders and di Basketball Africa League wey don reach im sixth season.
"We dey very proud of di impact wey NBA Academy Africa don get, and we still dey committed to develop di next generation of African players," Troy Justice, one NBA senior vice-president, tok.
Former academy staff dey question wetin di move go mean for access. NBA dey argue against di talk say African players go get fewer opportunities. Dem say say one single global location go give prospects more exposure to coaches and scouts.
