NBA Africa taps university students for basketball development

NBA Africa is banking on the growing youth population in Nigerian universities to grow and develop basketball across the country.

The initiative is leveraging a multi-year collaboration with Future Concerns Nigeria Limited with the launch of NBA REC, which marks the first NBA REC program in West Africa.

NBA REC is the league’s recreational basketball platform for players ages 18 and older designed to elevate university, community and adult basketball experiences in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is home to some of the most passionate basketball fans and talented young athletes in the world,” Fola Folowosele, head of NBA Nigeria, said.

According to Folowosele, the collaboration with Future Concerns Nigeria and Munch It reflects a shared commitment to creating more opportunities for young Nigerians to play, compete and connect through the game.

Anthony Oguike, group managing director, Future Concerns, said the brand believes lasting impact begins with young people.

“The NBA is more than a game – it is a global platform that inspires teamwork, leadership, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence,” Oguike said.

He added that by investing in university sports and creating opportunities for student-athletes to grow both on-and-off the court, the brand is helping to develop the next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers.

“At Munch It, we believe the best moments happen when people come together around shared passions, and few platforms unite young people quite like basketball,” said Munch It Brand Manager Enoma Aito.

“The game represents energy, confidence, creativity and community values that have always been at the heart of our brand,” said Enoma Aito, brand manager, Munch It.

He added that the brand is committed to championing youth culture and the continued growth of basketball and university sports in Nigeria.

“That’s why we’re excited to work with NBA Africa to bring the inaugural NBA REC University Tournament to life in Nigeria,” Aito said.

Nigeria has a rich basketball tradition and deep ties to the NBA dating back to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member Hakeem Olajuwon being selected 1st overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.

Since then, more than 50 players from or with direct ties to Nigeria have played in the NBA.

Also, three Nigerian teams have competed in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) since its inaugural season in 2021.

NBA Africa opened a subsidiary office in Lagos in 2022, building on the league’s longstanding commitment to growing the game in the country through grassroots development and cultural initiatives such as NBA Crossover and NBA Meets Art.