Sixty young basketball players from 21 African countries recently participated in the four-day Basketball Without Borders camp in Kigali. These aspiring athletes, who dream of international careers, focused on building their legacy on the continent first before taking on the international stage. The camp, attended by NBA and WNBA stars, aimed to refine technical skills, nurture ambitions, and forge character. Recruiters have already taken notice of some participants, though no official list of favorites has been released.
They are young, very talented, and eager to showcase their skills by playing for the NBA and WNBA one day. NBA Africa has noticed these talents and is helping them get started on the path to realizing their dreams. For four days, these young athletes from 21 African countries rubbed shoulders with the best of the NBA and WNBA, and it was an incredible experience for everyone, as demonstrated by the atmosphere on the closing day of the 21st edition of the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp.
We are absolutely proud because we have completed a successful BWB again and when I was talking to the coaches they said that by the third day, they could see excellent talent. Because the first day they get to know each other and then they really open up and use the skills they learn and so, by the third day they were saying there is really great talent and that is what we want to find. We want to find good talent, we want these young people to go back with these new ideas, new energy, new inspiration so they can do big things in their lives.
Clare AKAMANZI, CEO of NBA Africa
Some of the top coaches leading the camp in Kigali included former NBA stars such as Tamika Catchings, a former American basketball player who was voted WNBA Defensive Player of the Year several times. She praised the talent of the young girls she worked with during the camp and said she hopes to see them in the WNBA one day.
I hope that my personality and my presence, just being here, definitely shows and gives them inspiration. You know, a lot of these young ladies, not just the ladies but also the boys, their dream is to play at the NBA and WNBA one day; so I think having the opportunity to rub shoulders with each of us has been great and like I said, yes maybe they came out, they put a little bit more on the table, put everything out there but if that is your dream and goal every single day, you have to come out and you have to bring it.
Tamika CATCHINGS, Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
The Rwandan team had four players at the camp, including one girl and three boys. One of the boys, Mwesigwa Williams Sean, was selected for the prestigious All-Star Boys team for the 2025 edition, a selection that brings together the best players from the camp. Talent from countries such as Senegal, Mali, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria shone, with athletes from these countries winning one or more awards.
