Basketball Without Borders Celebrates 25 Years with New Camp Format

Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the global development initiative by the NBA and FIBA, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year by launching a new camp format for international basketball prospects. This program has previously helped develop notable players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, and Jamal Murray.

During the inaugural men's 'Next Up' camp held in Istanbul, Türkiye, NBA players including Jalen Suggs and Khris Middleton served as coaches, guiding participants through various training sessions and games. The revamped format will feature two annual camps for the top 80 male and female prospects outside the U.S., with the first women's camp scheduled for this fall.

The NBA and FIBA aim to adapt to the evolving landscape of international basketball, as noted by NBA Director of Elite Basketball Brendan McKillop. The new structure allows for a more competitive environment by bringing together players from diverse regions, enhancing their exposure to elite competition. Over its history, BWB has seen nearly 5,000 players from 149 countries participate, with 155 former campers having played in the NBA or WNBA.