Basketball in Africa

The General manager NBA’s Toronto Raftors, Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa is holding camps in four African countries across Africa for the first time.
Marking its 12th year supporting the growth of basketball in Africa, Giants of Africa has expanded its camps from Nigeria and Kenya to include Ghana and Rwanda. Camps which has already visited Nigeria, Ghana and will wind up the tour in Rwanda.
Giants of Africa camps ‎bring together top coaches from various countries to help run the sessions and are designed to help young basketball players develop athletically, achieve life goals and become better players.
“Running the Giants of Africa camps every year has become very important to us,” said Ujiri.
“We have to give back and encourage the youth. While we all want to do well in our daily jobs, we must never forget what got us here. Using basketball to educate and develop African youth is just the beginning of what needs to be accomplished. Coaching the coaches and building infrastructure is key for the growth of the game on the continent. These kids are motivated, aspire to learn and continue to work hard. It is a responsibility for us to inspire them to keep aiming high by providing them opportunities to grow."
Since the Giants of Africa camps began more than 100 camp attendees have moved on to high school or university in the United States, with around 20 now playing professionally in Europe.
Modeled after the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders outreach program, Giants of Africa holds two types of annual camps – Top 50 Camp and Big Man Camp. Its approach is to use the game of basketball as a means to teach and nurture important life skills.
The Top 50 Camp focuses on the top 50 kids from across the country and provides campers with three intense days of instruction.
The Big Man Camp teaches young athletes at six-foot-eight and above the basic fundamentals of the game with a focus on running, catching, footwork and shooting.
The goal for both camps is to begin to develop each of these athletes’ skills at a young, and still developmental age.
This approach provides an opportunity for ongoing improvement as each child continues to develop, learn and grow.