By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Promising European youngsters will gather in Malaga from May 31 to June 3.
The joint effort between the NBA and FIBA combines with FEB, the Spanish Basketball Federation, to bring the 21st Basketball Without Borders Camp to the Andalusian city.
Collin Sexton of the Utah Jazz and Devonte Graham of the San Antonio Spurs will be in charge of the 60 prospects in Malaga, Spain.
Per the press release: “The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) today announced that the 21st edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Europe will be held from Friday, May 31 – Monday, June 3 at The Embassy Training Center Higuerón in Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain, marking the third time the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in Spain following previous camps in Barcelona (2010) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (2015).
BWB Europe 2024 will bring together 60 of the top male and female players ages 18 and under from across Europe to participate in skill development, athletic testing, movement efficiency, and 5-on-5 games under the guidance of current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches, including Collin Sexton (Utah Jazz) and Devonte Graham (San Antonio Spurs). The campers and additional coaches, who will be announced prior to the camp, will also take part in life skills, leadership development and NBA Cares programming.
“For more than 20 years, BWB Europe has helped develop so many talented players who have gone on to play in the NBA, WNBA and for their national teams,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Vice President of Basketball Operations, Neal Meyer. “We look forward to hosting BWB in Málaga for the first time and welcoming the next generation of players from across Europe for a memorable experience as they learn from current and former NBA and WNBA players and coaches.”
“We are looking forward to having this BWB Europe camp take place in Andalucía, Spain,” said FIBA Europe President and former NBA player Jorge Garbajosa. “With basketball’s significant popularity across the region, highlighted by the success of numerous European teams in last year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup and the standout performances of many European players in the NBA, we’re confident that all participants will gain valuable insights from this experience, both on-and-off the court. With this edition boosted by the strong support of the Spanish Basketball Federation, we are sure that this event will be a success and we extend our best wishes for a rewarding and memorable experience for all.”
“We are very excited to be able to host this edition of Basketball Without Borders in Spain, where we are sure to have some of the next stars of our sport,” said FEB President Elisa Aguilar. “Training is a fundamental pillar for us, and we are convinced that this camp will be a few days where players will live unique experiences on-and-off the court that will boost their careers.”
Forty-one former BWB campers were among the record 125 international players on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 NBA season, including Danilo Gallinari (Milwaukee Bucks; Italy; BWB Europe 2003), Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards; Israel; BWB Europe 2018 and BWB Global 2019), Dario Šarić (Golden State Warriors; Croatia; BWB Europe 2010) and Jonas Valančiūnas (New Orleans Pelicans; Lithuania; BWB Europe 2008). Former NBA player and Spanish National Team member Marc Gasol, whose No. 33 jersey was retired by the Memphis Grizzlies last month, participated in BWB Europe 2010 in Barcelona.
BWB Europe 2024 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.
BWB has reached more than 4,300 participants from 140 countries and territories since 2001, with 119 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA. The NBA and FIBA have staged 74 BWB camps in 49 cities across 33 countries on six continents.
There have been 16 NBA players from Spain, including 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Pau Gasol. The NBA has played 20 games in Spain since 1988, including a preseason game between the Dallas Mavericks and Real Madrid earlier this season. NBA games have aired in Spain since the 1987-88 season, and the league opened its office in Madrid in 2007. NBA games currently reach fans in Spain on Movistar+ and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App, including more than 40 weekend games this season in primetime.”