KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)

The UAE hosted its first-ever NBA Academy Showcase, a four-team tournament for the best youth talent across the world, which wrapped up at NYU Abu Dhabi over the weekend and marked another milestone in the capital’s drive to establish itself as a regional hub for basketball.

The three-day event brought together a quartet of teams – players from premier youth basketball programmes from different corners of the world – ahead of this week’s NBA Abu Dhabi Games, which will see the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers tip off at Etihad Arena on October 2 and 4.

The Academy tournament featured NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), Centre of Excellence (Australia), INSEP (France), and IMG Academy Ascender Elite (United States). The academy programme behind each team has built a reputation for producing top-tier talent that has gone on to star in the NBA and international basketball.

Each team arrived with standout prospects, with games played before NCAA coaches and NBA scouts – underscoring the event’s vision as a launchpad for future professional talent.

For Neal Meyer, Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations for NBA Europe and Middle East, the tournament represented far more than just a competition. It was the culmination of months of logistical coordination, but also part of a broader, long-term strategy.

“We felt this would be an ideal location because we’ve been here almost four years, and everything we’ve done from a grassroots perspective made Abu Dhabi a perfect opportunity to host another elite event,” he explained.

“NYU was the perfect venue, and bringing teams from different regions allowed us to showcase basketball’s global reach.”

Meyer also emphasised that the showcase is designed to inspire the local community. Thousands of children across Abu Dhabi have already been exposed to the game through junior NBA leagues, clinics, and grassroots initiatives.

“This week we’re going to touch over 8,000 kids and coaches through different activities – clinics, referee workshops, and the NBA District where fans can meet legends,” he said.

“It’s important for young players in the UAE to see what the pathway looks like to reach the next level.”

The NBA’s grassroots footprint in Abu Dhabi has grown significantly since the league began its partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

What began with just 30 junior teams in the first year has expanded into 12 leagues involving more than 2,000 participants, including a growing number of girls’ teams. Plans are under way to add more age groups and strengthen talent identification programmes.

At the showcase, standout players not only competed but also reflected on the opportunity. Nathan Soliman of INSEP, who was part of the French team’s successful run, described the tournament as invaluable.

“It’s a lot of experience, and I’m happy because we won,” he said. “Being part of this type of tournament is amazing. Playing against super amazing players teaches you intensity and gives you experience.”

For IMG’s Cole Cloer, named MVP of the final match, the tournament was both a learning curve and a cultural adventure.

“The dream has always been to get to the NBA, and the NBA is becoming more and more global,” Cloer said.

“Playing against teams from Africa, France and Australia teaches you different styles of basketball. It gives you a headstart when you step into the leagues.”

The 17-year-old also spoke about his impressions of Abu Dhabi. “It’s only my second time out of the country, so getting to see a different culture, meet new people, and see the architecture here is awesome,” he said.

“It’s not just Abu Dhabi, you meet people from all over the world.”

Meyer hinted that the inaugural showcase is only the beginning. While this year’s edition involved four academies, the goal is to expand the field in the coming years, potentially bringing in teams from across the Arab region.

“We want to continue doing more of these events,” he said.

“The players in this region need exposure to high-level competition to understand where the gaps are and how to narrow them. That’s how we can raise the level across the Middle East.”

The showcase also fits neatly into Abu Dhabi’s larger vision of positioning itself as a sporting and cultural destination. Alongside basketball, the city continues to host marquee events from Formula 1 to UFC while simultaneously investing in community-level participation.

For basketball specifically, ongoing discussions with the UAE Basketball Federation could see greater collaboration in coach development, referee training, and even pathways for the men’s and women’s national teams.

“The feedback from stakeholders has always been positive,” Meyer said. “From parents to coaches to referees, everyone sees the value of these programmes. At the end of the day, it’s about creating opportunities, growing the local game, and giving kids a chance to dream.”

As the spotlight now shifts to Yas Island for the Knicks and 76ers’ preseason games, the academy showcase has already ensured that basketball in Abu Dhabi is about more than just two nights of NBA action. It has offered a glimpse of the future - both for the global stars in the making and for the young players across the UAE now beginning to see a pathway of their own.