Seventy-eight young basketball prospects have gathered in Istanbul for a four-day training camp organized by the NBA, FIBA, and the Turkish Basketball Federation.
Key facts
- •The inaugural BWB Next Up camp features 78 prospects participating in four days of training and competition.
- •The event is a collaboration between the NBA, FIBA, and the Turkish Basketball Federation to mark the 25th anniversary of the BWB program.
- •Mentors at the camp include Kenny Atkinson, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Vlade Divac, and Danilo Gallinari.
- •Over 150 former BWB campers have reached the NBA or WNBA, including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- •Danilo Gallinari attended the BWB program as a camper in 2003, three years after its founding.
The inaugural Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Next Up camp has launched in Istanbul, bringing together 78 promising young basketball players from around the world. Hosted at the Basketball Development Center, the four-day event marks the 25th anniversary of the BWB program. Participants are engaging in athletic testing, skill development, and competitive games while receiving mentorship from current and former professional players and coaches.
By the numbers
Professional Mentorship and Training
The prospects are learning from a group of experienced professionals, including 2021 NBA champions Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, as well as NBA and FIBA legends Vlade Divac and Danilo Gallinari. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is also participating as a coach. The curriculum focuses on both on-court skills and off-court habits, with Atkinson emphasizing that talent alone is no longer sufficient to reach the NBA level.
Managing Professional Expectations
Atkinson stressed that young players must understand the reality of entering the professional league, noting that most newcomers begin their careers as role players rather than stars. He advised the prospects that success often requires performing less glamorous tasks, such as defense and rebounding, to help their teams win. The camp aims to prepare these athletes for the professional environment by highlighting the discipline and sacrifice required to succeed.
Program Legacy and Global Growth
The BWB program has a history of developing talent, with more than 150 former campers having gone on to play in the NBA or WNBA, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and Pascal Siakam. Danilo Gallinari, who attended the camp as a player in 2003, noted the program's significant growth over the last 25 years. He observed that the global talent pool has expanded, with competitive players now emerging from every corner of the world.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Sport.
