Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
An inaugural NBA Academy Select Showcase competition brought together 36 high-school-age basketball prospects from 15 countries in Abu Dhabi, as the NBA and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) continue their efforts to develop emerging talent across the region.
Held at NYU Abu Dhabi from September 23-26, the four-day event featured players from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, who took part in skills sessions and exhibition games under the guidance of former NBA players and experienced coaches.
The coaching group included five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson and NBA assistant coaches Damian Cotter, Dan Craig, Henry Domercant, and James Wade.
The event concluded with the team representing Chicago Bulls beating San Antonio Spurs 42-23 in the championship game, followed by awards recognising several of the standout performers.
Nigeria’s Stephen Edwin was named Most Valuable Player, while Ivory Coast’s Nathan Djako received the Defensive MVP award. India’s Shekar Rathee, Bahrain’s Mahdi Baqer and Egypt’s Yahya Ammar joined Edwin and Djako in the All-Select Showcase Team.
Rathee also won the Three-Point Contest, while the 3v3 competition was won by Bahrain’s Jock James, Rathee, India’s Arman Arman and Morocco’s Ismail Hassini.
DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak attended the event and said the showcase represented the next stage of the partnership between the NBA and the emirate.
“The NBA Academy Select Showcase marks the next phase of our partnership with the NBA and our commitment to developing future basketball talent. Bringing leading young prospects from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia to Abu Dhabi for elite coaching, competition and development further strengthens the emirate's role within the global basketball ecosystem,” he said.
UAE prospect Mohamed Almaazmi said representing the country at the event had given him an opportunity to learn from leading coaches.
“It is such a nice feeling to be here and learn from such great coaches here. There is so much learning to be had and I appreciate the opportunity given to be in my country,” he said.
For Daniel Damas, who moved to Abu Dhabi from Tanzania to pursue basketball, the showcase offered a chance to measure himself against players with similar ambitions.
“From where I come, I would never get a chance like this, and it has been a new experience to be surrounded by people like me. I know now what I need to do to get to the next level,” he said.
Richardson said the event could provide the young players with valuable exposure and a pathway towards higher levels of the sport.
“It’s a great opportunity to come here and showcase our skills in front of big names and coaches, train with players from all around the world, go to the US and maybe become NBA pros some day,” he said.
Harper highlighted the challenge of bringing together players who do not regularly play with each other, saying the experience itself would contribute to their development.
“It is not easy to come here and put out a team together with players not used to playing each other regularly. But they are trying hard and will only get better from that experience,” he said.
The programme is designed to provide age-appropriate training and competition, with physical, mental and performance benchmarks aimed at helping young players progress from beginner to elite levels.
