NBA boss Adam Silver commits to pushing basketball more across Africa

Speaking on Saturday during an NBA Africa luncheon in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America, Mr Silver said that the league’s interest in Africa is long-term.

“We are not dealing with Africa as charity but working with local businesses to create a real impact,” he said.

Using the success of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), Mr Silver said it has shown that Africa is no longer the future, but now.

BAL is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across the continent and is currently in its third season.

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said the league is growing tremendously and all signs show that Africans are really interested in it.

“We are seeing a lot of engagement with Basketball Africa League across Africa and the world where it is being broadcast in many countries and the interest is there,” said Mr Fall.

Mr Silver was not coy to mention how the continent is helping boost the NBA through active players who have roots in Africa.

“We have 10% of players either born or having one parent born in Africa,” he said.

The NBA, whilst dominated by American players is now more diverse than ever before with over a quarter of the players having been born outside the US.

“Back 30 years ago, we had 20 international players in the NBA. We have now 120 international players. Over a quarter of our league, international players,” said Mr Silver.

“Interestingly enough, this season our top five scorers in the league are from five different countries. And All-Stars, roughly a third or so are international players playing here this weekend.”

A statement from the NBA supports Mr Silver's comments.

“A record 25 international players from a record 17 countries will participate in NBA All-Star 2023 in Salt Lake City, including a record six international All-Star Game starters and a record-tying nine international All-Stars overall.

Some of the biggest names at the NBA All-Star Weekend are all from outside America led by Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece but has major ties to Nigeria, Luka Dončić from Slovenia, Joel Embiid from Cameroon, Nikola Jokić from Serbia and Lauri Markkanen from Finland.

Others are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) and Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) make up the international All-Star reserves.