NBA shuts down Africa academy, leaving young players without support

The NBA has decided to close the NBA Academy Africa, less than a decade after launching the project in Senegal to develop talent across the sub‑Saharan region. According to Reuters, citing academy staff and local authorities, the shutdown delivers a heavy blow to students who viewed the facility as a vital pathway and community hub. Former performance consultant Michel Tsikwanine described an immediate drop in the players’ confidence, while ex‑academic director Michael Abbott criticised the league for prioritising its business model over the children involved.

The NBA responded by saying the closure reflects a shift in its global development strategy. After shutting academies in Mexico and Australia, the league plans to centralise training in a new Global Academy in Abu Dhabi. It insists its commitment to Africa remains intact, pointing to the growth of the Basketball Africa League and the continued presence of Basketball Without Borders camps across the continent.