NBA are deepening its link in India with introducing an elite basketball academy
The National Basketball Academy (NBA) academy is set to launch in April in New Delhi and will house 24 of the best young talent in India. “With the Junior NBA programme going well and basketball being at the peak of its popularity in India, this was the next logical step,” said Brooks Meek, NBA vice-president, International Basketball Operations.
The NBA also has plans to bring out a programme for junior girls in order to shape their career in the sport.
“The NBA Academy India will be an elite basketball training centre to identify home grown prospects and shape the next generation of national players. This academy is one of its kind. This is the first time that a global sporting league has invested in starting a fully funded professional academy and it will be for the top international prospects in India,” said Yannick Colaco, managing director, NBA India.
From December, the NBA will conduct a national scouting programme to identify the 24 boys for the academy scholarships.
“The NBA remains committed to growing the game in India and the launch of the academy marks our most significant investment in basketball development in the market. The critical component (of the programme) which is compelling is that Indian athletes are going to have NBA-trained coaches who will have a sustainable influence over the development of the juniors,”said Meek.
NBA recently launched academies in China (Hangzhou, Jinan and Urumqi) in October 2016 and the planned launch of NBA Global Academy, the NBA’s elite training center at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport.
