Second Gentleman of the United States, Douglas Emhoff, treated school girls to a day of basketball shooting drills at a Jr NBA event in Accra, Ghana.
Emhoff, who is in Ghana on a state visit alongside wife and Vice President, Kamala Harris, was the special guest at the basketball clinic held inside the Trust Sports Emporium in Bukom on Monday.
The basketball clinic, the first-ever all-girls’ NBA clinic, forms part of Jr. NBA’s project aimed at supporting the development of the sport at grassroots level, with Monday’s event a joint effort from the NBA and US State Department.
An estimated 50+ girls were present at the Jr. NBA clinic, which had NBA Africa Academy coach, Elri Liebenberg, calling drills for girls aged between 12 and 18.
Emhoff, before taking part in a team-shooting contest (one his side won after being first to make 5 shots within the paint) and trying out some bouncing drills, described the all-girls clinic as an important step.
“I went to LA when I was a teenager, which means I am a huge Lakers fan and this is a special day. It is historic what we are doing today – the first NBA all-girls clinic [and] it’s happening right here in Ghana and you’re all here to be able to participate in it,” Emhoff indicated.

WNBA legend and 2003 champion, Atsou Ndiaye was also present at the clinic and had a session with the girls, before recounting her personal story of how basketball changed her life.
“I wasn’t supposed to play [basketball]. I was too masculine; I was supposed to be at home cooking and couldn’t do both [but] I ended up doing both and at the highest level. So I’m grateful to see young ladies like you get into basketball. There are no more excuses,” Ndiaye explained.
Basketball Africa League’s John Manyo-Plange, Frank Traore and NBA Africa’s CEO, Victor Williams, were also at the clinic.
Latest Stories
- Archbishop Agyin-Asare’s comment can trigger security and peace instability – Security analyst
2 hours - WMO holds 19th congress to accelerate and scale up climate action
2 hours - Sevilla beat Roma on penalties to win 7th Europa League title
2 hours - Ghana makes strong case to be considered for SOFF at WMO congress in Geneva
2 hours - Increase ambition to safeguard our oceans – Akufo-Addo urges African nations
2 hours - Baby Jet U-16 Tournament: Asamoah Gyan pays courtesy call on Sports Minister ahead of event
2 hours - Bank Managers call on government to flush out ‘black market’ operators
3 hours - Judiciary must not be seen as bias in setting timelines for cases – Pumpuni Asante
5 hours - Seun Kuti opens up on experience in ‘three-person cell’ with 30 inmates
5 hours - We use ‘second-hand’ diapers, toilet rolls during menses – Girls admit as Mace supplies free sanitary pads
5 hours - Air New Zealand weighing passengers before flying
5 hours - Supreme Court ruling comes as a very big birthday present to me – Domelevo
6 hours - Supreme Court verdict sets the rule clear going forward – Daniel Domelevo
6 hours - I have no regret serving as Auditor-General – Yao Domelevo
7 hours - It’s better late than never – Domelevo rejoices over Supreme Court ruling against forced leave
7 hours