JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jul 29 – Steph Curry, an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) once expounded the mouth-watering adage that “Basketball isn’t just a sport. It is an art, one that must be mastered to succeed.”
Regarded as the greatest shooter and one of the greatest players of all time, Curry is credited with revolutionizing the sport by inspiring teams and players to take more three-point shots.
Rightly so, myriad juniors in basketball often look up to their older ones and that’s why you will find protégés aspiring to be like Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or even Taj McWilliams.
–Hand-me-down knowledge–
There is also no gainsaying that most of these young aspiring basket players all want to be something when they grow up, and this informs the basis of hand-me-down knowledge from America’s finest at the ongoing Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A total of 80 boys and girls of top high-school-age prospects from more than 25 African countries are gathered down South to grasp valuable tips and mentorship from NBA elite as well as former players, current and former coaches.
And following the launch of the 20th edition on Friday at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) in South Africa, the general consensus- was and still is- that “basketball in Africa will go places”.
Taj McWilliams, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) legend and a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock and Minnesota Lynx and a six-time All-Star, shared the same school of thought.
Taj’s professional career has spanned three decades, and began before the WNBA was founded.
Asked what she feels to nurture young Africa talents including the Kenyan representation of Emily Amung’a and Austin Omondi in South Africa, Taj explained: “I had the pleasure of coaching some of them when they were in Senegal. It’s just quite amazing for me to come and give back and share some of the knowledge that I have as a WNBA legend with them.”
Taj reiterates that equal representation for the first time on BWB ranks, “goes to show that a lot of these girls had languished in obscurity, hence an equal chance to showcase their talents.”
“This will also make the women’s sport develop rapidly- and you never know- these are definitely the future WNBA superstars. We applaud them,” Taj quipped.
–Message to Kenya Basketball teams –
Prodded to explain what will truly take Kenyan basketball to the next level, Taj, who signed a free agent deal with the New York Liberty On April 22, 2010, went on: “It becomes tougher the more they do it, but a bit easier for those who come after you, so they really have to push through and keep going; and especially for us women we are the best athletes making the most out of a very small amount.”
The BWB camp does not only attract valuable experiences from the living legends, current players also aspire to inspire the boys and girls in the mix.
Jalen Suggs is one of them. Suggs is an active NBA player currently plying his trade with the crack Orlando Magic outfit in the NBA.
He remarks: “Great to be in Africa for this initiative. It’s kind of crazy being out here, being in the presence of enthusiastic juniors and of course an opportunity to help them out in talent development.
“The African affiliation in NBA ranks goes to show talent that abounds in the continent and prospects of the emergence of international players from this camp.”
“Basketball as a game is growing way aside from USA. There is talent across the world. So, Kenyans must continue to work hard and continue pushing for limits. It’s a very special opportunity for African players to play and especially at the highest level, where they continue to be consistent too.”
-Cavaliers’ Garland-
Darius Kinnard Garland, who features for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA has embraced activities of the camp in South Africa with zest and vigor.
Darius, who played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2022, and finished third in voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award the same year.
He quips: “There is great culture and talent in Africa. These kids will go far. The young lads should keep on pushing hard and grasp what these amazing trainers will teach them. About the Cavaliers, we should be better than last year,” Darius, who is making his first trip to Africa underscored.
-Bam Adebayo-
Seeing these kids play means there is an amazing growth of basketball in the continent, this camp is the biggest thing and my aim is to make an impact to the players and teach them as they grow in the life of basketball. NBA has contributed to the growth of basketball in the continent, they can be who they want to, my message to the players is that it’s easier said than done, so they should be solid,”
-Masai Ujiri-
Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors Vice Chairman, Team President and alternate NBA Governor observed on his part: “We are really looking to what the future holds in the next 20 years.
Ujiri went on: “The 20th edition in South Africa is bigger and better with lots of progress and lots of work to be done too. For me, the focus now should be on infrastructure; like what we can do to make facilities across the continent tick. But the NBA has been super big in supporting this incredible program by giving this youth a chance, it’s incredible to see.”
Ujiri explains that the program always comes in handy for the national teams.
He expounded in finality: “These youths end up playing for the under 18s and then for the national team and I think for Kenya this is a very big step to get its players requisite exposure and play time. As the NBA, we always look around for talent and we want to give them the opportunity to play at the highest level.
Some of the big basketball stars that were spotted from the BWB are Joel Embiid who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets among others.
-Alex Isaboke is reporting from Johannesburg, South Africa-
