Skip to main content
Spurs Kawhi Leonard visits China to support the growth of basketball in the country and coach top youth talent from the region at The NBA Academy Zhejiang
Spurs Kawhi Leonard visits China to support the growth of basketball in the country and coach top youth talent from the region at The NBA Academy Zhejiang
Kawhi Leonard answers NBA Academy Zhejiang student-athletes' questions in a clinic during his clinic during his 22-28 August, 2017 China trip
Kawhi Leonard in a passing drill with NBA Academy Zhejiang student-athletes in a clinic during his clinic during his 22-28 August, 2017 China trip
Zhejiang basketball fans were excited to welcome it's first-ever NBA player to visit NBA Academy Zhejiang
11 players were selected in the first-ever NBA Academy Games All-Tournament team. See link to All-Tournament Roster in Games Notes below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during the NBA Academy Games Consolation Finals as they fought in a 73-70 loss against The NBA Academy India, at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player setting a screen in a 91-34 loss to The NBA Academy Africa The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang players listen to Coach Obie Nwadike in a 91-34 loss to The NBA Academy Africa The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang team picture at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player in the paint during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player in the paint during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during their 92-45 loss to NSC-New South Wales Country at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
Spurs Kawhi Leonard visits China to support the growth of basketball in the country and coach top youth talent from the region at The NBA Academy Zhejiang
Kawhi Leonard answers NBA Academy Zhejiang student-athletes' questions in a clinic during his clinic during his 22-28 August, 2017 China trip
Kawhi Leonard in a passing drill with NBA Academy Zhejiang student-athletes in a clinic during his clinic during his 22-28 August, 2017 China trip
Zhejiang basketball fans were excited to welcome it's first-ever NBA player to visit NBA Academy Zhejiang
11 players were selected in the first-ever NBA Academy Games All-Tournament team. See link to All-Tournament Roster in Games Notes below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during the NBA Academy Games Consolation Finals as they fought in a 73-70 loss against The NBA Academy India, at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player setting a screen in a 91-34 loss to The NBA Academy Africa The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang players listen to Coach Obie Nwadike in a 91-34 loss to The NBA Academy Africa The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang team picture at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player in the paint during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang player in the paint during their 81-75 loss to The NBA Academy Africa at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.
The NBA Academy Zhejiang huddles during their 92-45 loss to NSC-New South Wales Country at the first-ever NBA Academy Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. See the results and box scores below.

About The NBA Academy Shandong

The NBA and the Shandong Provincial Basketball Management Center has partnered to launch The NBA Academy Shandong, an elite basketball training center in Jinan in the Shandong Province of China. The training center houses about eighty male and eighty female student-athletes aged 14-18.

The NBA’s partnership with the Shandong Provincial Basketball Management Center builds on the NBA’s existing basketball and youth development initiatives in China. In November 2015, NBA China, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports announced the launch of the first Jr. NBA Basketball League in China. In October 2014, the NBA and the Ministry of Education of China announced a comprehensive multiyear partnership to incorporate a fitness and basketball development curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools across China. In February 2014, NBA China and Yao Ming launched the first ever after-school basketball program in Beijing, providing basketball training and fitness programs for boys and girls at all skill levels. In November 2011, NBA China and Dongguan New Century launched the CBA Dongguan Basketball School for players ages 12-17.

“Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and Shandong is proud of our basketball tradition. We have many talented players who play on the international stage already. NBA Academies will bring Shandong closer to the NBA and will help us grow the game of basketball in Shandong.”
-Yang Gang, Shandong Provincial Basketball Management Center Director

Coaching Staff

CRAIG BROWN
Technical Director
Coach Craig Brown was a four-year player and team captain for the University of Florida basketball team, which reached the Final Four in 1994. After playing professional around the world, Craig coached at the University of Central Florida for almost 15 years. He also served as the Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Asia for two years.
MATT BLUE
Player Development Coach
Coach Matt Blue was a four-year player and captain at St. Lawrence University. Since graduating, Matt has gained almost of decade of coaching experience at multiple levels, including stints at Lafayette College and the University of Hartford.
JENNIFER AZZI
Global Technical Director, Women's Program
Coach Jennifer Azzi oversees all regions of the NBA Academies Women’s initiative. A former WNBA player (1999-2004), USA National Team Player (1988-2000), two-time NCAA All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist (1996), Jennifer has an abundance of basketball experience on the court and as a coach on the sidelines. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2009) led the University of San Francisco women’s basketball program from 2010-2016.
BLAIR HARDIEK
Global Technical Director, Women's Program
Coach Blair Hardiek oversees all regions of the NBA Academies Women’s initiative. President and CEO of Azzi Camp (2007 - present), Former Associate Head Coach of the West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Champions at the University of San Francisco (2010-2016), Former NCAA International camp; Domestic Recruiter (2010-2016), Former PG/Captain at the University of Missouri (2003-2007).