As part of plans by the Ghana Basketball Association to develop the sport in the country, the Ghana Basket Ball Association, NBA Africa and Rite Multimedia are planning to establish a Junior NBA branded league in the country.

David Addo-Ashong the president of the Ghana basketball association and Kita Matungulu, associate director of basketball operation at NBA Africa made this known at the 2015 Sprite Ball Clinic held at Lizzy Sports Complex in Accra.

“We have to grow the game in the right way. So it’s key to start at the grass root level with the young ones, through the Junior NBA league,” said Kita Matungulu.

Mr Matungulu said his outfit is currently in discussions with the Ghana basketball associations and other key partners.

“I’m hopeful that the deal will be sealed this year and the league will start next season, that’s my hope, but the basketball association of Ghana believes we can start in the last quarter of this year (2015),” said Mr Matungulu.

Yaw Sakyi, organiser of the Sprite Ball Clinic said the the Junior NBA league project is a step in the right direction for the growth of basketball in the country.

Sprite Ball Clinic

Also present at the Sprite Ball Clinic were two NBA stars: Serge Ibaka who plays for Oklahama City Thunder and Gorgui Dieng of the Mininnesota Timberwolves.

They were happy to be in Ghana to help develop and inspire young Ghanaian basketball talents. 

They further expressed their condolence to the victims of the recent flood and fire disaster in the country.

Ibaka and Dieng both originally from Congo and Senegal respectively, interacted with players and officials from Greater Accra as part of the promotional drive for the sports in Ghana.

The NBA stars shared their experiences and knowledge of the game with the players and officials.

On the second day of the clinic, the duo will travel to Cape Coast, where they will conduct a similar exercise, in order to unearth two players to represent the country at the 2015 basketball without borders programme in South Africa between July 29 to August 1.

Nathan Mensah and Joel Mensah represented Ghana last year, after their outstanding display during the screening.