USA’s second gentleman plays basketball at Bukom

The USA’s second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, played basketball with girls from some Ghanaian basketball academies at a basketball clinic held at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The basketball clinic, the first-ever all-girls’ NBA clinic, forms part of the Jnr. NBA’s project aimed at supporting the development and growth of the sport. But it’s organisation was a joint effort of the NBA and US State Department – which was greased by a state visit of the USA’s vice president Kamala Harris, and second gentleman, Emhoff.

An estimated 50+ girls were present at the Jnr. NBA clinic, which had NBA Africa Academy coach, Elri Liebenberg, calling drills for girls aged between 12 and 18.

Emhoff, before taking part in a team-shooting contest (one his side won after being first to make 5 shots within the paint) and trying out some bouncing drills, described the all-girls clinic as an important step.

“I went to LA when I was a teenager, which means I am a huge Lakers fan and this is a special day. It is historic what we are doing today – the first NBA all-girls clinic [and] it’s happening right here in Ghana and you’re all here to be able to participate in it,” Emhoff indicated.

WNBA legend and 2003 champion, Atsou Ndiaye was also present at the clinic and had a session with the girls, before recounting her personal story of how basketball changed her life.

“I wasn’t supposed to play [basketball], I was too masculine, I was supposed to be at home cooking and couldn’t do both [but] I ended up doing both and at the highest level. So I’m grateful to see young ladies like you get into basketball. There are no more excuses,” Ndiaye explained. 

Basketball Africa League’s John Manyo-Plange, Frank Traore and NBA Africa’s CEO, Victor Williams, were also at the clinic.

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