President Kagame, NBA officials discuss basketball growth in Africa

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame met with top officials from the National Basketball Association (NBA), including commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, to discuss ways to strengthen basketball development in Africa.

The meeting also included Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and founder of the Giants of Africa Foundation, which promotes basketball across the continent, and Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

According to the Office of the President, discussions focused on the long-standing partnership between Rwanda and the NBA and explored opportunities to nurture youth talent and expand the sport across Africa.

President Kagame and NBA officials also reviewed preparations for the sixth season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which will conclude in Kigali from May 22–31, 2026.

Since establishing its African office in 2021, the NBA has been actively supporting basketball development on the continent, including organizing tournaments like the BAL to identify and promote young talent.