More than 320 young athletes from 20 African nations are participating at the Giants of Africa basketball camp taking place at BK Arena. Proving to be more than just a showcase of rising basketball talent, the camp, which runs through August 1, is becoming vibrant celebration of mentorship, education, and community empowerment. As the competition intensifies, young players are discovering that the festival offers far more than athletic training; it’s a journey of personal growth, cultural exchange, and lifelong connections. From high-energy matches to sessions with elite coaches, participants are learning valuable life lessons and building a shared sense of purpose that extends far beyond the court. Here’s what some of these young athletes had to say about their experiences. Nicey Mayaka, 17, Kenya So far, the experience has been nothing short of amazing. It’s been a perfect balance of fun and learning. There’s a high level of competition here. Every country is bringing their A-game, so we’re also being pushed to give our very best. I’m learning a lot, not just from the top-tier coaches who’ve come from all over the world, but also from fellow players and even the event staff. Everyone is contributing to making this a smooth and enriching experience. One of the biggest takeaways for me so far has been the growth in my leadership and communication skills. I’ve also become a lot more confident both on and off the court. Technically, I’ve learned to be more patient and intentional during plays, and I’ve really improved on my spacing and overall court awareness. Honestly, it’s hard to choose just one thing because everything has been incredible. But what stands out the most is the opportunity to learn from each other. Being around young athletes from across the continent, people my age or slightly older, from different countries and cultures, has been inspiring. We’re exchanging knowledge, stories, and skills, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me. Nelly Uwihirwe, 17, captain of Rwanda The experience has been really great, one of the best parts is getting familiar with playing against teams from other countries. It’s helping me grow as a player and understand different styles of play. I also feel really proud to be representing my country and even prouder that we’ve been winning all our games so far. We’re currently the top team in our pool, and that’s something I’m really excited about. On top of that, we’re having fun. The energy is positive, and everyone is pushing each other to do better. We’ve picked up a lot of new skills here. But if I had to highlight one, I’d say my shooting has improved significantly, especially finishing layups. The coaches are really helping us sharpen our technique and decision-making during games. Al Saeed, Morocco Today was an incredible experience. We had three games, and I’m proud to say we won two of them. The matches were intense, very physical and competitive. It wasn’t easy, but we fought hard until the last second to secure our wins. We’ve got one more game to go, and we’re focused on winning it. That win would give us a better position in the quarter-finals, allowing us to face the second-best team from the other group. So we’re channeling all our energy into that upcoming match. My basketball journey so far has been really good. But coming to this camp has taken it to another level. There’s so much to learn here. We’re surrounded by experts, former professional players, team presidents, and other key people who have deep knowledge of the game. It’s an environment that pushes you to grow. You have to keep your mind open and absorb everything you can. This camp also gives us a great opportunity to play in front of scouts and decision-makers who could impact our careers. We’re learning important details and insights that will definitely help us in our training and in shaping our future as athletes. It’s more than just playing games it’s about building a foundation for the next stage of our basketball journeys. Alberta, 17, Ghana The Giants of Africa camp has been both educational and enriching. Beyond learning technical basketball skills, I’ve grown socially by connecting with players from different countries. One key lesson I’m taking home is the importance of communication both on and off the court and how to play strong team defense. We need to provide opportunities for all talented players, especially those struggling to access basic gear. Sponsorship and support systems could help more young people showcase their abilities. Abdul Aziz, Ghana It’s been a very interesting and eye-opening experience so far. The tournament has been challenging; we've faced some really tough teams in our last two games. But what makes it worthwhile is that we’re constantly learning. Every mistake we make becomes a lesson, and it pushes us to improve and come back stronger. It’s not just competition; it’s education on and off the court. One of the most important things I’ll be taking back home is mental toughness and physicality. In our last game, the opposing team was very physical, they brought a high level of energy. But we matched it. We stayed resilient, focused, and ended up winning by about four points. That game taught me a lot about staying composed and pushing beyond limits. It feels amazing to be one of the young athletes chosen to represent Ghana at this level. Back home, there’s so much talent, almost every kid on the court has serious skills. So being selected from that pool means a lot to me. It motivates me to work even harder, not just for myself, but for all those other talented kids who didn’t get the same chance. I want to represent them well and make them proud. If I could change one thing in Ghana, it would be how basketball is treated in our sports scene. Football gets most of the attention and resources, while basketball is often overlooked. That needs to change. My teammates and I are giving our best every time we step on the court, and I hope our efforts help shine a light on the potential of Ghanaian basketball. If the government and key stakeholders could invest more in basketball, I believe we could achieve so much more as a country in the sport. Hopefully, through platforms like Giants of Africa, we can help change the narrative and push for better support and recognition of basketball back home. Kasongo Mister, 17, DR Congo Being part of Giants of Africa has been a life-changing experience for me. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is the importance of playing as a team. Before coming here, I often relied on individual skill but through this camp, I’ve learned to trust my teammates and understand how vital collaboration is on the court. We've been guided by top-level coaches, and their advice has pushed me to think and play like a professional. Every instruction matters, and respecting those details has helped me improve tremendously. When I return home, I’m determined to take what I’ve learned and share it with others especially the value of teamwork. Back in Congo, many players focus on individual play, but I want to help shift that mindset and show them the power of unity on the court. If I’m fortunate enough to go pro one day, I want to use that platform to support and open doors for other young talents in my country. There’s so much potential in the DRC, but not enough visibility or opportunities. I hope to change that by creating pathways for others just like the one I’ve been given here.
