Launched in 2002, the SEED Project is Africa’s first basketball student athlete learning and training facility. Each year, 40 high-potential student athletes––boys and girls––live, train and work toward achieving their goal of higher education. In 2017, the program partnered with the NBA to launch the NBA Academy Africa, an elite development program for African high school boys. Tuition assistance, English immersion, high-performance basketball training, academics, college prep and study abroad opportunities are all part of the curriculum. Four SEED students are taking their next step in training and education in the United States, and it’s happening right here at SPIRE. 

Post Graduate Abdoulaye Fall is the first SEED Academy player to land at SPIRE. He is also joined by male athletes Babacar Djiby Ly and Abdou Aziz Yadd, who will be a part of the High School squad. Also joining this inaugural class is Ndeye Khady Leye, who will be part of SPIRE’s inaugural women’s High School team. SEED knows women in Africa do not always have access to quality sports programming like males. They are also committed to gender equality and female empowerment. It is critical to the program that girls be immersed in a supportive environment where they can develop their voices and talent—another reason why SPIRE and SEED are perfectly aligned as partners to elevate all players. 

Jeff Javorek, SPIRE’s Assistant Director of Sports and Director of Basketball, shares his enthusiasm for working with the SEED Project. “We are extremely honored to be working with the SEED Project. It is a great way for us to help give new opportunities to aspiring student athletes around the world. We have had great conversations and relationships have started to grow with both the SEED Project and NBA Africa.

SPIRE is no stranger to young athletes looking for next-level training opportunities. SPIRE has a keen eye for talent and a heart to fuel young players’ passion for sports. 

Javorek also added, “Our goal is to help Aboulaye, Djiby, Abdou and Ndeye grow on and off the court to prepare them for college/professional basketball and life. This is just the beginning of a growing relationship between SPIRE, SEED and NBA Africa and we are excited about the future!”

To learn more about the SEED Project and Academy, http://www.seedproject.org/.