The NBA has shut down its only elite training academy in Africa, which was launched in Senegal in 2018 to nurture promising young players. This closure is seen as a setback for student-athletes across the continent, according to two former employees of the academy.
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Michel Chikwanine, the academy's former performance and lifestyle adviser, expressed that the news significantly affected the students’ confidence. He noted that once they learned about the academy's closure, their self-assurance diminished. Michael Abbott, the former head of academic planning at the academy, criticized the NBA's lack of commitment to the students, suggesting that the organization prioritized its business model over the welfare of young players.
In response to inquiries from Reuters, the NBA stated that the closure is part of a broader shift in its global basketball development strategy, citing the prior closure of academies in Mexico and Australia. Future training will be centralized at a new global academy set to open in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The NBA assured that it remains invested in African talent through other initiatives, such as the Basketball Africa League and Basketball Without Borders, which facilitate elite training camps.
Since its inception, NBA Academy Africa has trained around 110 students, many of whom have advanced to elite educational institutions in the U.S. Notably, Ulrich Kamka Chomche from Cameroon was the first academy graduate to be drafted into the NBA, joining the Toronto Raptors in 2024. Khaman Maluach from South Sudan also transitioned to the NBA, playing for the Phoenix Suns.
Chikwanine lamented that the closure would limit opportunities for African players, who frequently come from difficult backgrounds and require specialized support. He emphasized that the closure reinforces a perception among Africans that foreign businesses are more interested in profit than in genuine investment in local talent.
The NBA, however, asserted that consolidating training in one location would enhance exposure for young players to professional coaches and scouts worldwide. Troy Justice, NBA senior vice president, reaffirmed the organization's pride in the impact of NBA Academy Africa and reiterated its commitment to fostering the next generation of African players, noting that several youth development initiatives remain active on the continent.