NBA closes sole Africa training academy in blow to young players

NBA says its focus is on new global academy opening in Abu Dhabi as Africa, Mexico and Australia hit by closures.Published On 2 Oct 20262 Oct 2026The NBA has closed its only elite training academy in Africa, less than a decade after it was launched in Senegal to prepare promising young African players for professional leagues in the United States and elsewhere.The decision to close NBA Academy Africa was a blow to students and young players across the continent, two former employees said.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Northern Nigeria’s female basketball players chase bigger dreamslist 2 of 4How a comedy of errors ‘ruined everything’ for athletes at the Asian Gameslist 3 of 4USA hold off spirited France to win Women’s Basketball World Cuplist 4 of 4Kyrie Irving will ‘take care’ of Al-Shaair’s NFL fine on Hind Rajab messageend of listMichel Chikwanine, who had been the academy’s performance and lifestyle adviser, said late Thursday that the news discouraged African players just beginning to build confidence.“From the moment we told them, their confidence waned, their confidence dropped,” he said.Michael Abbott, former head of academic planning at the academy, said it ...