Senegal is Home to Africa's First Ever NBA Training Center

"Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life." - Billie Jean King

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has opened its first ever training facility in Africa called 'NBA Academy Africa' which is stationed in Saly, Senegal.

The center was commissioned this week and had in attendance top Senegalese government functionaries like the Minister of Sports, Matar Ba. 

The unveiling ceremony was also witnessed by NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum, NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall, some former African NBA and WNBA players and other dignitaries.

The new facility contains two indoor basketball courts, a multidimensional activity center, a weight room, conference rooms, dormitories and educational facilities to enable the all round development of students.

Speaking about the new NBA African facility, NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall said:

“We are thrilled to open this new world-class venue in Saly for NBA Academy Africa prospects.

“This facility will provide aspiring players from across the continent with state-of-the-art courts and training equipment, under the tutelage of our NBA coaches, and our world-class academic staff. This facility, and the enabling environment around it, will help uphold our commitment to a holistic approach to player development and providing our elite African student athletes with the tools to succeed on and off the court.”

NBA Academy Africa will be managed directly by the NBA in partnership with SEED Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development) - a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs. It was founded in 1998 by Amadou Gallo Fall.

Header Image Credit: Instagram via @nbaacademy