The few old G’s that come to mind are Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Manute Bol. Since 2003, there has been a surge of African players entering the league. I wouldn’t say that standards for getting into the NBA have been lowered, but perhaps a combination of Africans who have increased the level of their game to match the Americans’ as well as organizations that have helped market skilled African players. Additionally, if you are a fan of international basketball, you have probably recognized in recent competition that the rest of the world is catching up.

Native Africans like Dallas Maverick’s director of scouting, Amadou Gallo Fall, are raising the profile of Africa as a potential hotbed of NBA players. Fall developed the SEEDS (Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal) Academy in his native Senegal in 2003 to provide educational assistance to boys whose basketball potential could land them athletic scholarships in the United States.

SEEDS Academy was developed in Senegal in 2003 to provide educational assistance to boys whose basketball potential could land them athletic scholarships in the United States.

SEEDS has helped place several young African players within high schools in the United States. There is a documentary coming out based on the SEEDS Academy called Hoopland which follows four current students on their journey through the program. It is co-produced by Anne Buford who is the sister of Spurs’ GM along with Cavaliers assistant GM Lance Blanks and is due for a 2008 release.

Currently, there are 13 African players in the league. They represent 6 different countries including Sudan, Senegal, DR Congo, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

“The continent has been there for hundreds of thousands of years and there’s a lot of untapped talent, not only in terms of basketball but in terms of human resources…”

“Only seven countries have more players in the NBA than Senegal, and all three of (those players) came from this academy,” says San Antonio Spurs’ Vice President and General Manager, R.C. Buford, brother of the filmmaker. “When I first met Amadou, I could tell that he was a man of vision,” says the Spurs’ GM, and “we also have Commissioner (David) Stern, who is probably the greatest visionary in professional sports. Those two together have created an opportunity for Africa that I think is only going to continue to grow.”

Cavaliers’ assistant general manager Lance Blanks was also one of the first to take note of the talent in Africa while he was the Spurs’ scouting director. “The continent has been there for hundreds of thousands of years and there’s a lot of untapped talent, not only in terms of basketball but in terms of human resources and people that have a lot to offer this world,” he said.

With that said, don’t sleep on Africa’s athletic ability. As basketball’s popularity continues to rise on the continent so will the skills of the children who love the game.

For more information, or to view the trailer for Hoopland go to: http://www.hoopland.net