NBA To Open Fifth Academy To Discover Elite Prospects In India Next Year

The NBA is extending its player development reach into India with the creation of the NBA Academy India to open in the Delhi Capital Region in April. It is the fifth overseas NBA Academy and follows the '16 launch of similar training facilities in Hangzhou, Jinan, and Urumqi, China along with the launch of the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. The NBA is fully funding the academy in India, which will identify an initial pool of 24 elite prospects by February. The training center will be staffed with NBA-trained coaches with the goal of developing top male and female prospects. “The NBA remains committed to growing the game in India, and the launch of NBA Academy India marks our most significant investment in basketball development in the market,” said Brooks Meek, NBA VP, Int'l Basketball Operations in a statement. “This academy will provide the top male and female prospects in India with world-class coaching and training, as well as academic support and an emphasis on life skills.”