UAE Basketball League Signs Partnership with NBA for Development Program
Historic Partnership Announced
The UAE Basketball League has signed a groundbreaking five-year partnership with the National Basketball Association, marking a significant milestone in the development of basketball across the Emirates. The agreement, valued at $50 million, will bring NBA coaching expertise, training programs, and development infrastructure to the region.
The partnership was announced at a ceremony in Dubai attended by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and UAE Basketball Federation President Mohammed Al Mahmoud. The deal represents the NBA's largest investment in Middle Eastern basketball development to date.
NBA Academy UAE Launch
At the heart of the partnership is the establishment of NBA Academy UAE, scheduled to open in Dubai Sports City in September 2025. The facility will feature:
Three full-size NBA regulation courts with professional lighting and video systems
Strength and conditioning center equipped with NBA-standard training equipment
Sports science and analytics lab for player performance tracking
Academic center for student-athletes to maintain educational progress
Recovery and rehabilitation facilities with NBA medical protocols
Residential housing for 80 elite youth players from across the region
Elite Coaching Program
The partnership will see former NBA players and coaches relocating to the UAE to lead training programs. Initial appointments include:
Marcus Thompson - Former Portland Trail Blazers guard and development coach, appointed as Academy Director. Thompson brings 15 years of professional playing experience and has developed multiple NBA draft picks.
Sarah Chen - Former WNBA player and performance specialist, leading the women's development program. Chen has worked with USA Basketball and developed Olympic athletes.
Ahmed Hassan - Egyptian basketball legend and first Arab player drafted to the NBA, serving as Regional Ambassador and connecting local talent with international opportunities.
Youth Development Pipeline
The program will identify and develop basketball talent starting at age 12, with a structured pathway to professional basketball:
Ages 12-14: Foundation Program
Basic skills development, physical literacy, and introduction to competitive basketball through regional camps across all seven emirates.
Ages 15-17: Elite Academy
Full-time residential program at NBA Academy UAE with integrated education, advanced training, and exposure to international competition.
Ages 18+: Professional Pathway
Placement support for NCAA Division I scholarships, G League contracts, or professional opportunities in Europe and Asia.
UAE Basketball League Enhancement
The partnership will also elevate the professional UAE Basketball League, currently featuring eight teams across the emirates:
NBA coaching consultants assigned to each team to improve training and game strategy
Enhanced officiating standards with NBA referee training and certification programs
Broadcasting partnership with NBA TV for international exposure of UAE league games
Annual exhibition games featuring NBA teams during the regular season
Player exchange program allowing UAE players to train with NBA Summer League teams
Women's Basketball Development
A significant focus of the partnership is developing women's basketball across the region. The WNBA will establish:
UAE Women's Basketball Academy with dedicated facilities and coaching staff
Annual WNBA preseason training camps hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Scholarship program for female players to attend U.S. universities
Community outreach initiatives promoting women's participation in basketball across schools and clubs
Regional Impact
The partnership extends beyond the UAE, with plans to develop basketball talent across the GCC region:
Regional camps will be hosted quarterly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, identifying top prospects for the UAE academy. The program aims to develop 500 elite players over the next five years, with the goal of placing at least 20 players in NCAA Division I programs and producing the first GCC-developed NBA draft pick by 2030.
Community Basketball Programs
Beyond elite development, the partnership includes grassroots programs to increase basketball participation:
Jr. NBA program launching in 200 schools across the UAE by 2026
Free community basketball courts being built in 15 public parks
Weekend basketball clinics led by NBA coaches in all emirates
Annual youth tournament with winners attending NBA games in the United States
Expert Perspective
"This partnership represents a transformational moment for basketball in the Middle East. The NBA's investment in coaching expertise, facilities, and development infrastructure will accelerate the growth of the sport across the region. We're particularly excited about the focus on youth development and creating pathways for young Emirati players to compete at the highest levels internationally."
- Mohammed Al Mahmoud, President, UAE Basketball Federation
Timeline and Next Steps
The partnership will be implemented in phases over the next 12 months:
March 2025:
NBA coaching staff arrive and begin working with UAE league teams
May 2025:
First regional talent identification camps across GCC nations
September 2025:
NBA Academy UAE opens with inaugural class of 80 students
October 2025:
First NBA preseason game hosted at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi
January 2026:
Jr. NBA program launches in UAE schools
For more information about the NBA Academy UAE program and how to register for talent identification camps, visit the UAE Basketball Federation website or contact the federation directly.
