NBA Invests in the Basketball Africa League

Africa is going to be the next hot location for basketball in the world. We have seen the fantastic success of the NBA and EuroLeague for years with many rising stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Mirotic, and many other European stars transitioning very successfully into the American league.

We also have seen African stars such as Dikembe Mutombo, Joel Embiid, Serge Ibaka, and countless other players have successful NBA careers for decades now. The formation of a proper Africa League opens up much more opportunity for players and fans from the continent and the new league has taken on many great influencers such as Barack Obama in the past year.

President Obama Becomes a Strategic Partner

Obama has been an outspoken fan of the sport for years and often showed off his skills even while he was President. In a video released by the Africa League, he can be seen reflecting on his early love for the sport, how it has helped him in life, and why the new league will provide so much opportunity for the continent.

"By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa's young people."

Africa has the highest percentage of youth population in the world and while the NBA, specifically African-born players, have devoted special attention to the continent, the formation of a league is the next huge step in changing the sport.

Obama has been speaking to NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league for years about partnering up with his Obama Foundation in Africa to make this happen and the dream has finally become a reality.

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