The NBA has awarded scholarships to two young African female athletes to attend the SEED Academy.
The SEED Academy (Sports for Education and Economic Development) is a non-profit organization in Thiès, Senegal, that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs.
Senegalese student Aminata Tal and Sira Thienou of Mali are the first African female recipients of the scholarship. According to The Undefeated, the new initiative from the NBA Academy Women’s Program includes a series of developmental camps for top female basketball prospects under the umbrella of the league’s elite international training centers.
“We are thrilled to have Aminata and Sira join our group of female student-athletes at SEED Academy in Thiès,” said SEED Project President Joe Lopez. “Both prospects showcased their tremendous talent, passion for the game of basketball and leadership during the last NBA Academy Africa Women’s camp, and coupled with their drive to perform in school, I have no doubt that they will both add great value to the SEED Academy girls program.”
Tal and Thienou moved to the academy last month and have already commenced classes and training.
“It’s something that a lot of people want to have,” Tal said.
“We are proud to partner with SEED Academy on this initiative, which continues the great momentum we are seeing for young women across the continent who are using the game of basketball to maximize their potential as players and leaders,” said 2003 WNBA Champion and NBA Academy Africa Women’s Program Lead, Astou Ndiaye. “Aminata and Sira are promising young women who excel on-and-off the court, and we hope this opportunity will help serve as a pathway to their future success.”
