For the past couple of seasons, the NBA and the country of Africa have slowly been developing a very positive partnership. In May, Africa launched their first elite NBA basketball training Academy to the public in Thies, Senegal with help from SEED Project. This announcement was a huge step towards developing the youth in Africa for years to come.
More recently, the NBA’s yearly game played in Africa is quickly approaching and the rosters to Team Africa and Team World has been released. Players like Dirk Nowitzki, Joel Embiid, Serge Ibaka, Victor Oladipo and more will be headlining the game.
The country of Africa has obviously shown increasing interest in the game of basketball and all sports over the past couple of years. Moreover, the unsung hero in building basketball opportunities in Africa is a group called Africa Outreach USA.
Following from Doug Williams of ESPN.
a nonprofit that has donated sports equipment, funded basketball courts, held sports clinics and created opportunities for boys and girls to play basketball, soccer, volleyball and tennis at schools across Zimbabwe.
Chikamba estimates 50,000 children have participated and more than 10,000 pieces of sports equipment have been donated.
Gus Chikamba, the founder of Africa Outreach USA, has the vision of giving the youth avid opportunities in life.
The true focus, however, is to give kids opportunities for a better life.
“Being born and raised out of Africa,” Chikamba said, “the concept is to empower those communities, including the academic institutions, to really raise these kids so they can contribute back to the community.”
