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Co-founder of Giants of Africa and President of the Dallas Mavericks, Masai Ujiri, will arrive in Nigeria this week for the unveiling of the organisation’s 50th community basketball court under its “Built Within” initiative.
The newly renovated basketball facility, located at King’s College Lagos, will be officially unveiled on Monday, May 25, in Lagos, marking a major milestone in Giants of Africa’s commitment to constructing 100 basketball courts across the continent.
The event is expected to feature remarks from Ujiri, alongside school and community leaders, while Nigerian music stars Mayorkun and May D are billed to perform at the ceremony.
Following the unveiling, Giants of Africa will organise a youth basketball clinic for 50 boys and girls drawn from King’s College and Queen’s College Lagos. The clinic will be conducted by local coaches and Giants of Africa coaching staff as part of the organisation’s youth empowerment and mentorship drive through sports.
Speaking ahead of the event, organisers described the initiative as part of a long-term vision to create opportunities for young Africans through basketball.
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, education and leadership development.
Founded in 2003 by Ujiri and his partners, Giants of Africa has grown into one of the continent’s leading youth basketball development platforms. In 2021, the foundation launched its “Built Within” project aimed at constructing 100 community basketball courts across Africa. So far, 49 courts have been unveiled in 16 African countries.
Ujiri, widely regarded as one of the most influential African figures in global basketball, made history as the first African general manager in North American professional sports to win the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2013. He later guided the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship — the first NBA title won by a team based outside the United States.
The Nigerian-born basketball executive also co-founded Zaria Group in 2023, an organisation focused on developing sports, entertainment and cultural infrastructure across Africa.
The unveiling ceremony at King’s College Lagos is scheduled to begin with media check-in at 3:30 p.m. on Monday.
