Story Highlight
– First Basketball Without Borders camp held in the UK.
– Promising young players receive coaching from NBA legends.
– Future NBA talents identified from a pool of 60.
– NBA matches returning to the UK enhances basketball growth.
– Only two British players currently in the WNBA.
Full Story
This week, Manchester has become a hub for aspiring basketball players, hosting the inaugural Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp in the UK. For seven British participants, the opportunity to receive coaching and insights from some of the sport’s elite figures represents a unique milestone. This includes training alongside Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac and receiving guidance from Nick Nurse, head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The camp offers a glimpse into the future for young athletes, with Nurse expressing optimism about the potential for several attendees to eventually reach the NBA or WNBA. “We can virtually guarantee that a handful or more of the players sitting out there today will be in the [NBA and WNBA],” Nurse told BBC Sport. Reflecting on the significance of the event, he added, “It’s an amazing event, it always is. […] It’s exciting to see them at this stage.”
Nurse’s connection to British basketball dates back to his time as a player in the British Basketball League during the 1990-91 season. His commitment to nurturing young talent is evident, as he highlights the unique experience of working with some of the world’s most promising young players at this event.
This initiative aligns with the NBA’s efforts to expand the sport’s reach in the UK. Recent developments include the announcement of the first NBA regular-season games in the country since 2019, set for London in 2026 and Manchester in 2027. This growth is crucial, especially considering the rising popularity of basketball in the UK, where the sport is now the second most played team activity, engaging approximately 1.5 million participants weekly.
Among those carrying hopes of making it to the professional level is 17-year-old Irene Oboavwoduo from Manchester, who aims to pursue a college basketball route in the US. She acknowledged the challenges posed by basketball’s relative obscurity in England but expressed optimism about the sport’s expansion. “I’m glad I’ve been able to do this as an experience for exposure,” she said.
Zubac, reflecting on his career, noted the potential impact of the camp for young European players, stating, “I think getting advice, knowledge and experience from the NBA players, NBA coaches, all the basketball legends here, […] is going to be really helpful.” His own journey from Europe to the NBA serves as an inspiration for participants.
The BWB camps operate globally, with annual events also taking place across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, culminating in a selection of top talents for further training during NBA and WNBA All-Star weekends. To assess the potential of these young athletes, scouts from all 30 NBA teams were present in Manchester.
As the conversation around high-level basketball expands internationally, Sylvia Fowles, a two-time WNBA champion and part of the camp’s coaching team, expressed hopes for the WNBA to establish a presence in the UK. “I want to see the WNBA everywhere,” she stated, indicating that the participation of WNBA players at the camp could pave the way for future games in the country.
With the promising trajectory of players like Amari Williams—who recently made history as the NBA’s third English-born player—and the anticipated NBA games on home soil, the future of British basketball looks bright.
