NBA to host development camp in Maputo

The National Basketball Association (NBA), in collaboration with adidas, the league’s official global outfitter, will host a two-day basketball camp featuring Mozambique native and WNBA Legend Clarisse Machanguana, former NBA All-Star and 1992 Slam Dunk Champion Cedric Ceballos, and the Atlanta Hawks Sky Squad, at Groupo Desportivo Arena in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 18-19.
As the official media partner of the event, SuperSport will provide coverage across our broadcast and digital platforms.
More than 100 boys and girls ages 13-18 selected by the Mozambique Basketball Federation and the NBA will participate in basketball drills, skills stations, games and life-skills seminars during the two-day camp. There will also be a clinic to develop local Mozambican coaches as a part of the NBA’s continued coaching development initiatives on the continent.
“In our efforts to grow the game of basketball on the African continent, the NBA is committed to making the game accessible by creating participation opportunities” said Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President & Managing Director-Africa.
“We are grateful to adidas for their ongoing support of our grassroots initiatives and are excited to be working with Clarisse, Cedric and the Atlanta Hawks Sky Squad to bring this major event to Maputo.”

“This is a fantastic initiative for Mozambique, particularly as there is such a hearty appetite for the NBA there,” said Brandon Foot, Acting CEO of SuperSport. “As much as television has the power to convey the excitement of the NBA, there is nothing quite like youngsters seeing their heroes up close and personal. Some of the game’s biggest players come from the continent. It is SuperSport’s wish that activations such as these inspire youngsters to continue the tradition.”
Machanguana recently participated in Basketball without Borders (BWB) Africa 2014, hosted by the NBA and FIBA in Johannesburg, South Africa in early August.
“I am delighted to be working with the NBA and adidas on this development camp,” said Machanguana. “To be able to stage the camp in my home country and to have an opportunity to make an impact on-and-off the court makes it even more special.”

The camp will also feature NBA Legend Cedric Ceballos and the Atlanta Hawks Sky Squad. This offseason, Ceballos attended the US Sports Envoy program’s trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and last year he attended BWB Africa in South Africa. It is also a return trip to Africa for the Hawks dunk team, who performed at the BWB camp in Johannesburg in 2013.
“Mozambique has a very strong basketball culture,” added Francisco Mabjaia, President, Mozambique Basketball Federation.
“We are honoured that the NBA and adidas are hosting the camp here in Mozambique and look forward to welcoming all the participants to Maputo.”
The NBA has a long history in Africa with more than 35 players from the continent having been featured on NBA rosters since Hakeem Olajuwon was drafted in 1984.
Through NBA Cares, 38 places to live, learn or play have been created in Africa, and Basketball without Borders Africa has been held 12 times.
The league opened an African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. Last month the NBA announced that the first ever exhibition game on the continent will be played in South Africa in August 2015.