By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The 21st edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Europe recently concluded in Málaga, Spain, running from May 31 to June 3.
This global basketball development and community outreach program, organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), brought together 60 of the top high-school age prospects from 25 countries across Europe and the Middle East. Among the participating countries were Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain.
The event provided a unique opportunity for these young athletes to learn directly from current and former NBA and WNBA players and coaches.
The camp concluded with an awards ceremony led by NBA Europe and Middle East Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations, Neal Meyer. Jovana Popovic from Serbia and Mathieu Grujicic from Germany were honored as the Kim Bohuny BWB Europe 2024 Camp MVP for the girls and boys division, respectively.
The Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award was presented to Dovydas Buika from Lithuania and Wiktoria Haegenbarth from Poland for the boys and girls division, respectively, by President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches, Deputy Chair of FIBA Technical Commission, and Camp Director, Patrick Hunt.
Basketball Without Borders (BWB), a joint initiative of the NBA and FIBA, has been instrumental in the global development of basketball and community outreach. Since its inception in 2001, BWB has engaged over 4,300 participants from 140 countries and territories.
Among the notable alumni are NBA and WNBA players such as Danilo Gallinari (Milwaukee Bucks), Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards), Dario Šarić (Golden State Warriors), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Jonas Valančiūnas (New Orleans Pelicans), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz), Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).
The camp has left a significant impact globally, with 74 editions held in 49 cities across 33 countries on six continents. BWB Europe 2024 marked the 21st edition in Europe and the third edition hosted in Spain.
Throughout the week, 100 local stakeholders, coaches, and referees participated in basketball development clinics led by the NBA’s Referee Operations department. Additionally, an NBA and FIBA-led coaches clinic was hosted by NBA assistant coaches Dutch Gaitley, Joshua Longstaff, and former WNBA player and Hozono Global Jairis coach Anna Montañana.
Eight former NBA and WNBA players and coaches, including Collin Sexton, Devonte Graham, Amaya Valdemoro, and others, served as BWB Europe 2024 coaches.