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NBA Africa (www.NBA.com<\/a>) and Africell, one of the fastest-growing mobile network operators in Africa, today unveiled an indoor basketball court at 1\u02da de Maio at Av. Deolinda Rodrigues in Luanda, Angola as part of their multiyear collaboration to use basketball to benefit Angolan youth.\u00a0 The new court, donated to and operated by the city of Luanda, will provide a safe space where members of the local community can play basketball year-round and host Jr. NBA events and programming in the future.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The court was unveiled by Africell Angola CEO Jorge Vazquez and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.\u00a0 They were joined by Angolan NBA Academy Africa prospect Aginaldo Neto, who is signed to Petro de Luanda for the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season as part of the BAL Elevate (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3Ug0vrY<\/a>) program, and who previously participated in the Jr. NBA program in Angola.\u00a0 Following the ceremony, the court hosted two exhibition games featuring men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams from the local community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cBy making basketball more accessible to young Angolans, the partnership between Africell and NBA Africa is having a big impact,\u201d said Africell Angola CEO Jorge Vazquez. \u00a0\u201cBasketball is an important part of Angolan popular culture, and this new facility brings it into the reach of more potential players.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis beautiful new court speaks to Angola\u2019s rich basketball tradition and further builds on our youth development efforts across the continent,\u201d said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.\u00a0 \u201cThanks to the support of Africell, more boys and girls in Luanda will be able to learn and play the game in a safe environment year-round.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In addition to the court unveiling and exhibition games, last week, NBA Africa and Africell held a Jr. NBA clinic in Lubango for 250 boys and girls ages 18 and under.\u00a0 Last year, NBA Africa and Africell held Jr. NBA clinics, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, as well as a Her Time to Play basketball clinic and leadership workshop for 200 girls ages 16 and under and 20 female basketball coaches.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The new court also builds on NBA Africa\u2019s previous initiatives in Angola, including hosting Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa in Luanda in 2016 and a Jr. NBA league in Luanda in 2017 and 2018.\u00a0 BWB, the NBA and FIBA\u2019s global basketball development and community outreach program, has reached nearly 100 Angolan boys and girls since its launch in Africa in 2003.\u00a0<\/p>\n Angola\u2019s Petro de Luanda is representing the country in the 2024 BAL season for the fourth consecutive time. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n