Gonzalo
Dear Gbemisola Abudu,
I am reaching out with admiration for your dedication to expanding NBA Africa's presence in Nigeria and for championing basketball’s potential to unify communities, inspire young talents, and drive social change. With NBA Africa’s recent initiatives like the floating basketball court in Lagos and your push to embed basketball in Nigeria’s cultural fabric, you’ve brought impactful visibility to the sport in Nigeria. However, there remains an opportunity to deepen this presence across the country, reaching all six geopolitical zones and connecting communities beyond the Lagos hub.
Basketball has resonated with Nigerians nationwide, but for many outside Lagos, consistent access to NBA Africa’s programs and opportunities is still limited. The vision to establish a well-defined Junior NBA league in every region is inspiring; it would ensure more young Nigerians could cultivate life skills, benefit from structured sports development, and potentially pursue pathways to the NBA or BAL without needing to leave the country.
While your efforts have brought events that celebrate the synergy between basketball and Nigerian culture, further grassroots development in underserved regions could amplify the NBA’s impact. Supporting infrastructure in areas like Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Enugu etc would promote inclusivity and make basketball more accessible to young people, giving them local role models and potential career paths in sports.
The Basketball Africa League’s commitment to keeping African talent on the continent also aligns well with Nigeria’s aspirations for sports tourism and economic growth, which could be nurtured by investing in more community courts, mentorship programs, and regional competitions.
Your leadership at NBA Africa offers a unique chance to create sustainable changes and build a robust basketball ecosystem that reflects Nigeria's diversity. With further outreach and support across all regions, NBA Africa can empower more Nigerians to connect with basketball, igniting their passion and dreams through the sport.
Thank you for your commitment, and I hope NBA Africa considers the tremendous potential of expanding its footprint beyond Lagos to inspire a generation of athletes and fans across Nigeria.
Warm regards,
