Rwanda is set to host Basketball Without Borders (BWB) for the very first time, marking a milestone for the country’s fast-growing basketball scene. The 21st edition of this global basketball development and community program will run from Saturday, August 23, to Tuesday, August 26, taking place across Petit Stade and BK Arena. Launched by the NBA in partnership with FIBA, BWB brings together some of the world’s most promising talents, offering them top-tier training and mentorship from NBA players and coaches. ALSO READ: BWB comes to Kigali amid ‘incredible momentum’ for the game--Akamanzi Traditionally, the program has rotated across Africa with past camps in Angola, Egypt, Senegal, and South Africa. Each summer, BWB stages four regional camps across different continents, culminating in BWB Global, a showcase event during the NBA All-Star Weekend that gathers the very best performers from the year’s camps. Who will be attending? BWB Africa brings together the top 60 boys and 30 girls from 20 plus countries throughout Africa. They are selected by FIBA, the NBA, and participating federations, with input from international FIBA/NBA players from the region. Will feature elite training Elite training for the campers is the main priority with the support of various additional teams at the NBA. ALSO READ: Rwanda to host Basketball Without Borders camp 2025 There are also various activities outside of player camps and training for guests. Programming also includes opportunities to highlight the city and culture and provide community impact through Social Responsibility and Player Programming. NBA coaches’ clinic NBA coaches will deliver a one-to-two-hour development clinic for local coaches invited by the hosting nation’s federation. During the course of 2 hours, typically each NBA coach would provide 30 minutes to an hour of their own focused material. Coaches clinic is typically designed for 100 coaches. Local junior players (10-12 players) serve as the demonstration team, executing drills for the NBA coaches. Will include NBA referee’s clinic The BWB camp in Kigali will have an NBA Referee Operations (Ref Ops), where basketball instructors from the USA will conduct a four-day development program for referees organised by the local federation. Each day consists of two hours of classroom sessions plus on-court game work. More activities BWB Africa will feature a number of events including the “Grannies to Heroes,” a basketball clinic focused on engaging the elderly through play. NBA will donate 100 shoes to the elderly and a series of leadership development. In addition, there will be an event dubbed “Her Time to Play Workshop and Clinic”: it will be a leadership workshop for girl campers aimed at building g skills and confidence for girls during BWB. There will also be a Wheelchair basketball event where NBA Africa will donate 12 wheelchairs to FERWABA, this will be followed by a wheelchair basketball clinic and then a Rights for People with Disabilities session.
