Bball Stories.

Basketball Players Stories from anywhere

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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 reppin’ 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. 

Tena, 16 years old, Nigeria 

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 couldn’t 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, I’m not a brilliant type. I always go back seats. Basketball help me in catching things I didn’t know anything about basketball but i started to search and then learned. When I’ll be older, I wanna be an actress and a model.

Marvellous, 15 years old, Nigeria 

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. I’ve been in so many places. I’m 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 I’ll be able to adjjust when I meet new people. And I had the chance to meet Chiney Ogwumike, she’s 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 school : 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 I’ll beat him one day.

Caroline, 17 years old, Kenya 

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, it’s 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, Egypt 

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. It’s very nice, I love to play there. It’s my favorite sport with volley ball. Playing basketball allows to be independent and confident. With basketball, I’ve 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 Africa 

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 didn’t 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 I’ll 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.

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Aboubacar Casse : “I wanna make sure I inspire the kids”

Never forget where you come from. Aboubacar Cassé knows the true definition of GIVING BACK. After gratuating in Franklin Pierce University in the US, Bouba came back in Thies (Senegal) and organized a youth camp “Pay It Forward” last december on his homecourt, where it all started for him.

Bouba ambitions to help kids develop themselves, grow the game in Thies and give back to his community. 

Check out his story.

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Astou N’Diaye : “I did my hardwork”

Astou N'Diaye is a former senegalese basketball player who was drafted in WNBA by Detroit in 1999. She played five years for the Shock before going to Indiana in 2004. She also played in Houston (2006) and Seattle (2007). She won a WNBA title in 2003 with Detroit alongside Swin Cash and Ruth Riley.

Astou was born in Kaolack, Senegal. She moved in the US when she was a teenager to study and play basketball. Her first journey drop her off to Southern Nazarene University, in Oklahoma, where she gratuated. 

She also was part of the Senegalese national team from 1990 to 2006 and won three African Championships.

Astou is now fluent in five languages and is a motivation speaker, trying to get the best out of people.

Check out her story.

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Ronny Turiaf - Seven Pounds : #3 New York City

10 years ago, Ronny Turiaf saw his life and his NBA career pass through the hands of a surgeon. One year after his first steps in the league, he got a heart surgery. Few months ago, he played his tenth season in NBA. Turiaf played alongside a bunch of superstars (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin…) and has built a perfect teammate reputation with all of them. Travel with us on the different stops of his NBA journey.

Third stop : How he ends up in New-York (2010-2011)

"This story began in Africa. I was with my man Boris Diaw and his association. My agent called, he was like : ‘A trade is on the table. If LeBron does not go to New-York, you’ll be going there.’ Domino effect… When franchises failed to get what they want, they have to adjust. Anyway, just after that phonecall, i stayed watching TV with Boris and all the volunteers. We were waiting to know what was going on. When LeBron came out with The Decision, my agent called back and told me I was heading to the Knicks. Two days later, I’m in New-York. Within 48hours, I traveled through Dakar, Washington and New-York. When I went to the press conference, I was like : ‘Ok. Now, I’m in New-York.’ I realised how the Madison Square Garden was a mythical place. 

Quickly, I became friends with Danilo Gallinari. We were called the European Union with Timofey Mozgov. Always chilling in italian restaurants, we had some real good moments together. The Union fell apart when they transfered Gallo. It was difficult but on the other side, this is a trade which allowed the team to get good results. We went to playoffs. That didn’t happen for 10 years in NY. Plus, I was a starter et I played against Kevin Garnett, my idol ! The vibe in the arena the day Carmelo played his first game, that was CRA-ZY. It was against Milwaukee. I’m still thinking that if Chauncey Billups didn’t get injured, he would have our chance…”

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Ronny Turiaf - Seven Pounds : #2 Golden State Warriors

10 years ago, Ronny Turiaf saw his life and his NBA career pass through the hands of a surgeon. One year after his first steps in the league, he got a heart surgery. Few months ago, he played his tenth season in NBA. Turiaf played alongside a bunch of superstars (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin…) and has built a perfect teammate reputation with all of them. Travel with us on the different stops of his NBA journey.

Second step : Golden State, turning point of his life (2008-2010) 

“Golden State is the result of work done in Los Angeles. The decision was not an easy one but in a sense though. Sometimes, you make choices that are made with the head and not the heart. I had a proposition I could not refuse compared to the sacrifices made throughout my career. My goal was to be financially able to help my family and the people in need. At that time, I was unrestricted free agent. The Lakers had seven days to make a choice. We waited until the last minute. I was in the locker room with Mitch Kupchak. We sat and talked for 3 hours. We talked about everything from life, our careers, my three years in LA. When I was at the hospital for my operation, he brought me my jersey, we talked about that day. He wanted me to stay. But I made a choice. 

In Golden State, I really enjoyed the game for two years on court. Stephen Jackson, Stephen Curry, these are players who have given me a lot. And I played for the best coach in the NBA. He’s the best to put players in the best possible conditions on the court. Don Nelson. I remember that we offered him 1,333th game won. It was April 7, 2010 against Wolves. He became the winningest coach in the regular season, he surpassed Lenny Wilkens. 

This franchise has been a turning point in my life because I had the chance to meet people who believed in what I wanted to do off the field. We created my foundation, they helped me to do many things. We missed the playoffs two years but I felt fullfilled from that experience in Golden State. I played 20 minutes of average, I almost do a triple double, I saw Stephen Curry’s arrival under the spotlight. I also scored the points that allowed Stephen Jackson released a triple double. He made his 10th pass to me.”

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Metta World Peace picked his Basketball Players Awards

Which teammates you secretly wish you had in your team ? Who's the hardest to guard ? Who's the MVP ? This year, and for the first time, NBA Players are gonna have their own awards voted by... themselves. Still wondering why they didn’t have this genius idea before. The sondage will include classic categories but also unusual. This could be funny and interesting to read if players are answering the truth and only the truth, with no waffle ! While the NBPA will reveal the results of those "Basketball Players Awards" this summer, Ron Artest - aka Metta World Peace aka The Pandas Friend - gave us his votes when we met him in Cantu (Italy). And the winners are...

MVP : Stephen Curry 

Best Rookie : I don’t know any rookie. Nobody is winning. 

Man of the year : LeBron James, because he spoke out when everything happens with the « I can’t breathe » thing 

Best Defender : Kawhi Leonard 

Global Impact Player : Me ? I’m here ! 

Hardest to Guard : LeBron 

Clutch Performer : Steph Curry 

Coach You Would Want to Play For : Rick Carlisle. He’s amazing. I mean, Gregg is amazing, Rick Carlisle’s really good. Doc Rivers is really good too, i like him. 

Best Home Court Advantage : In NBA ? Cantu is the best home court advantage. If any NBA Team would come to Cantu, they’ll loose. First of. Secondly, Madison Square Garden. The Garden is amazing. 

Player You Secretly Wish Was on Your Team : Kawhi Leonard.

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Ronny Turiaf - Seven Pounds : #1 California Love

10 years ago, Ronny Turiaf saw his life and his NBA career pass through the hands of a surgeon. One year after his first steps in the league, he got a heart surgery. Few months ago, he played his tenth season in NBA. Turiaf played alongside a bunch of superstars (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin…) and has built a perfect teammate reputation with all of them. Travel with us on the different stops of his NBA journey. 

First step : Los Angeles Lakers (2005-2008) 

“This is the love story of my life. A forever story. This is the place where I got the more fulfilled as a person. It started with a small hitch though. I had my heart surgery. And this concern turned into a love story between this city and me. Jerry Buss was kind enough to take over the operation. I was living a constant happiness on court with my teammates. At that time, we were able to play eyes cloed with each other. Those were the three best years of my whole career. I had to fight. There were Cook, Mims, Bynum, Odom and Kwame Brown before me. I fought to have my chance and spend minutes on court. 

 With the Lakers, I’ve discovered myself. And I also have nice personal memories. When I had my heart operation, it was the first time in 17 years that my father, my sister, my mother and I were eating at the same table. I’ll always remember this moment. I’d lost the sensation of taste with all those meds I was taking. But be here with my family, all together, a feeling of happiness came over me. I was always hanging out with Walton, Farmar, Vujacic, Radmanovic, Lamar and Kobe. After practice, we would eat and go to see a movie. We were called « The Movie Crew » before each time we were playing away, we were squatting in a room to watch a movie. Phil Jackson contributed significantly to that serene atmosphere. He instilled us with tempo and flow values. We were all on the same wavelength. He made us do meditation.”