Basketball Without Borders Africa : this is why she plays - Part 1
NBA Program Basketball Without Borders sets a new record in Africa last August. This summer, 13 countries from the Motherland were represented at BWB Africa Camp in Johannesburg. This is the highest ever. As far from the Girls Camp, 23 players were proudly reppinā for their noation coming from Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, mozambique, Tanzania, Algeria, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe & Cameroon.
For most of them, this journey started with their first time in a flight. For all of them, this journey ended as a life changer.Ā
Tena, 16 years old, NigeriaĀ
I am 2 years old in basketball. I was picked by my coach at school. He saw my height and told me that I should come and play basketball. Few months ago, I stopped basketball for a month. It was very hard for me to dribble low, i couldnāt do it so i quit. I came back because I saw that inspirationnal movie called Coach Carter. It motivated me to come back. Basketball makes me a better person and a better student. I failed a lot of times at school, Iām not a brilliant type. I always go back seats. Basketball help me in catching things I didnāt know anything about basketball but i started to search and then learned. When Iāll be older, I wanna be an actress and a model.
Marvellous, 15 years old, NigeriaĀ
I started basketball in 2015. I was confused the first time I went to practice. Actually I was forced too at first because of my height and finally i love dit. My coach teached me how to play. I met so many people and so many friends thanks to basketball. Iāve been in so many places. Iām really having fun on court. Basketball is big in Nigeria. My first basketball travel was in another state in Nigeria. This is the second I travel but first time in another country. BWB Africa experience was fun, I got to know my new teammates better. It was tough the first days because we were all trying to understand our different languages, the way other play. But now Iāll be able to adjjust when I meet new people. And I had the chance to meet Chiney Ogwumike, sheās the sister of my favorite player, Nneka Ogwumike. But my real role model is my mum. She inspires me everyday. She played a lot of sports during schoolĀ : football, basketball⦠I have two brothers. One plays basketball and he teaches me sometimes. He wins everytime we play against each other. But I hope Iāll beat him one day.
Caroline, 17 years old, KenyaĀ
I started basketball 3 years ago. I used to just go and watch, it was just around our home. I tried it out one day and I liked it. In Kenya, basketball is just ok, itās just great but not as much as big countries like Senegal. But people like it. Coming here in South Africa is my first time out of Kenya. I have met so many friend thanks to basketball and I had this opportunity to get out of the country and most importantly it pays my school fees. I got a scholarship in basketball
Batoul, 16 years old, EgyptĀ
I started basketball when I was 3 years old. We can say that I was born in basketball. My sister and brother were playing, I played with them all the time. In my family, they all play basketball, they inspire me. Itās very nice, I love to play there. Itās my favorite sport with volley ball. Playing basketball allows to be independent and confident. With basketball, Iāve been to China, Hungary and now South Africa. I discovered other cultures thanks to basketball. People are very kind and nice around the world. Chinese people were very helpful. I hope to be the best player in Egypt and in my life I just want to be a good person.
Ketty, 16 years old, South AfricaĀ
I started basketball at 13 years old in my village. I saw people playing one day i was trying. One of the coach saw me and told me to keep on coming to practice. I didnāt know anything about basketball. My coach encouraged me and motivated me. I love sport, my brother Vincent play basketball, he inspires me. My female role models are Maya Moore and Skylar Diggins. They are such good players, I love seeing them play. Basketball teaches me how to communicate with people, how to work as a team and how to motivate people. Sport teaches a lot, eveyrbody should do sports. When Iāll be old, I wanna be a motivational speaker so i can motivate young people to have interest in sport, not only basketball but any activities.















