The fifth edition of the NBA and FIBA Basketball Without Borders Global Camp has tipped off in Charlotte. (All Photos Credit to: NBAE).
Involving more than 60 high-school age boys and girls from 31 countries and regions, this year’s list, as usual, contains many of the stars that BlueStar Media has been tracking for several years. The list is peppered with many talents seen at U15, U16 and U17 tournaments in these past years.
Most notably at the likes of #FIBAU16Europe a couple of years ago in Bourges and last summer in Kaunas, as well as first global outings in Minsk in that U17 Worlds last year.
However, as usual, it was also noticeable that there are a number of absences of some even higher talent level players who were unable to participate or have not been put forward by their respective Federations. Additionally, the spread is inevitably dictated by NBA commercial and project interests, rather than a straight-up best prospects globally.
Asia – Gemma Potter (Australia), Kitty Henderson (Australia), Ming Zheng (China), Grishma Niranjan (India), Misa Hayashi (Japan), Charlisse Leger-Walker (New Zealand),
Africa –Meriem Saadaoui (Algeria), Alexia Dizeko (Angola), Jana Haytham Abdullah (Egypt), Aminata Sangare (Mali), Chana Maria Paxixe (Mozambique), Sabou Ndiaye Gueye (Senegal)
Europe – Nika Mhul (Croatia), Zoe Wadoux (France), Emily Bessoir (Germany), Simona Visockaite (Lithuania), Claudia Gomez (Spain), Goksen Fitik (Turkey)
Americas – Florencia Chagas (Argentina), Sofia Acevedo (Argentina), Kamila Cardoso (Brazil), Aaliyah McKenzie (Canada), Yvonne Uju Ejim (Canada), Mariana Valenzuela Medina (Mexico), Chana Maria Paxixe (Mozambique)
That said, the camp does contain many top prospects, who took to the floor on Day 1 to take inspiration from a range of 2019 NBA All-Stars including Nikola Jokic (Serbia; Denver Nuggets) and Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro; Orlando Magic), Charlotte Hornets assistant coaches Dutch Gaitley (U.S.), Nate Mitchell (Canada) and Ronald Nored (U.S.), and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member Jennifer Azzi (U.S.), among others.
During the first day, the campers started with combine drills and movement efficiency training before breaking into shooting competitions and skill development stations. The players were then split into teams and competed in five-on-five games in front of NBA scouts and team personnel.
Following the exhibition games, the prospects participated a life skills session led by former NBA player and NBA Academy Advisory Committee member Adonal Foyle (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), along with former WNBA player Allison Feaster and Head of WNBA League Operations Bethany Donaphin.
The campers concluded their opening day at the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars at Spectrum Center, which will feature three-former BWB Global campers: Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns; Bahamas; BWB Global 2016), Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls; Finland; BWB Europe 2014; BWB Global 2015), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (LA Clippers; Canada; BWB Global 2016).
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