The NBA Academy Abu Dhabi Showcase will feature up-and-coming high school talent from around the world.
Kicking off September 25, the NBA Academy Abu Dhabi Showcase will bring together four teams of top international teenage prospects to compete in exhibition games in Abu Dhabi. The inaugural event will be held at NYU’s Abu Dhabi Campus, preceding the 2025 Abu Dhabi Games matchups between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The games will be played in front of numerous NCAA coaches and NBA scouts, providing a platform for international talent to be discovered and developed on a global stage.
Neal Meyer, VP and Head of Basketball Operations for NBA Europe and Middle East, is confident the showcase will elevate the brand of basketball in region and beyond. “Abu Dhabi, and the Middle East as a whole, is emerging as a hub for basketball, and there is growing interest in the game,” Meyer said. “Hosting events like this helps strengthen the local basketball ecosystem.”
Abu Dhabi Showcase Teams
| Team 1 | Team 2 |
| Centre of Excellence (AUS) | IMG Academy Ascender Elite (U.S.) |
| NBA Academy (AFR) | INSEP (FR) |
| IMG Academy Ascender Elite (U.S.) | NBA Academy (AFR) |
| INSEP (FR) | Centre of Excellence (AUS) |
| NBA Academy (AFR) | Centre of Excellence (AUS) |
| IMG Academy Ascender Elite (U.S.) | INSEP (FR) |
Grassroots gone global
As the NBA continues to chart new territory globalizing at all levels, investing in grassroots programs and providing opportunities for the youth remains a priority. Future Starts Now, a content initiative launched in 2023, has highlighted the next generation of basketball stars across NBA social and digital platforms since its inception. This includes scholastic, spring, and summer circuit events featuring top teams and prospects in the world.
Brandon McKillop, AVP and Head of Elite Basketball Global Operations at the NBA, once shared backcourt duties with 11-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry at Davidson College.
McKillop links the rise of international stars with the league’s developmental efforts worldwide. “The level of basketball talent around the world is at an all-time high,” McKillop said. “[This] is evident through the international talent in the NBA and WNBA today as well as the competitiveness of basketball at the most recent Olympics in Paris. There are certain regions of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where I think we are only scratching the surface in terms of talent identification and development.”
Basketball Without Borders and the NBA Academies are two of the league’s key investments in international identification and development. “BWB” has hosted elite prospects from more than 140 countries during its 24-year history, while NBA Academies have produced alumni from over 40 countries who earned NCAA Division I scholarships. Both initiatives have made basketball more accessible worldwide, creating pathways for young players to pursue their dreams.
Player to watch: Ralph Scott
Four-star prospect Ralph Scott, a 6’8” forward from Bermuda, was virtually unknown on the national stage just a few months ago. After winning MVP at BWB Americas in early June and performing well at the NBA Academy Games in July, his recruitment has accelerated tremendously.
Rising star Ralph Scott, 6’8″ wingman from Bermuda, is set to show out on the global stage.
Now regarded as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the class of 2026, IMG Academy’s swingman has seen his basketball trajectory shift significantly. He hopes to showcase his versatility and rim-attacking ability on the global stage in front of college and NBA personnel in Abu Dhabi.
Other notable prospects suiting up in Abu Dhabi:
- Nathan Soliman (INSEP) – 6’8” wing, top prospect in the class of 2028
- Bamba Touray (IMG Academy) – 7-foot, 15-year-old from Senegal, supremely skilled with high upside
- Ajak Nyuon (CoE) – 6’10” forward from Australia, one of the more intriguing international prospects in the class of 2026
In its first year, the NBA Abu Dhabi Showcase is already positioned for success and significant impact across the grassroots landscape. “We want to create a high-quality basketball competition which provides elite international talent the opportunity to develop their skills,” McKillop said. “Events like this are an important part of the NBA’s mission to grow the game worldwide and elevate the level of international basketball.”
All showcase games will be available across NBA Social and Digital platforms.