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About The NBA Academy Africa

NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in Senegal for the top male and female prospects from throughout Africa and the first of its kind on the continent. The academy is a partnership between the NBA and SEED Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a non-profit organization based in Thies, Senegal, that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs and whose alumni include Gorgui Dieng (Memphis Grizzlies; Senegal; BWB Africa 2009).

In November 2018, the NBA opened a new elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal to serve as the primary training location for NBA Academy Africa prospects from across the continent. The new facility features two indoor basketball courts, a multidimensional activity center, a swimming pool, a weight room, conference rooms as well as dormitories and educational facilities.

Coaching Staff

ROLAND HOUSTON
Technical Director
As the Technical Director of NBA Academy Africa, Roland Houston oversees all aspects of player development and coaching for top high school-age prospects from across the continent. Houston, a multilingual professional with more than 15 years of experience in the sports industry, has extensive coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level. Prior to his current role, Houston was an assistant coach at George Mason University in Virginia and LaSalle University in Pennsylvania, and was also an associate head coach at George Washington University, where he helped lead the team to two Atlantic 10 tournament championships and three consecutive appearances in the NCAA DI men’s basketball tournament. Houston played four years of collegiate basketball at Rhode Island University, where he served as team captain, before playing professionally for 13 years in Spain, Argentina, France and Israel.
ALFRED ABOYA
Player Development Coach
Alfred Aboya leads the day-to-day player development and coaching for the elite prospects of NBA Academy Africa. Alfred served as an assistant and player development coach for Iowa Wolves (affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves) in the G League. Alfred played college basketball at UCLA where he played in three NCAA Final Fours. Alfred also played professionally in 6 different countries; and started his coaching career in 2016 as a graduate assistant for Mississippi State Men’s basketball team. Alfred currently serves as the assistant coach for Cameroon National Men’s Basketball Team.
KARIM NESBA
Player Development Coach
Karim Nesba supports the day-to-day development, coaching and scouting of top high school-age athletes from across the continent of Africa. Prior to joining the NBA Academy Africa, Karim was coaching in NBA grassroots programs in Morocco. Karim played professionally in his home country of Morocco for more than 10 years and with his national team for 8 years. Before coming back to his native country to play professionally, Karim played in the USA at Auburn Montgomery University.

Current Roster

Player Name Position Country of Origin Age Height
Ahmed Nedal Abdelrahman Abouelela g/f Egypt 18 6'6
Ali Assran g/f Egypt 17 6'6
Ahmed Bedoui g Tunisia 17 6'5
Mouhamed Camara f Senegal 19 6'8
Yakhya Diop c Senegal 17 7'0
Mahamat Doungous Tahir f/c Chad 18 6'10
Modou Fall Thiam g Senegal 19 6'5
David Ugonna Ike c Nigeria 17 6'10
Assane Mandian g Senegal 18 6'5
Samson Mashebinu f Nigeria 17 6'7
Matong Muorwel c South Sudan 16 7'1
Yohane Tshaba f Democratic Republic of the Congo 17 6'7
Lewis Uvwo f Nigeria 16 6'10