NBA Africa Kenya Country Operations Lead Michael Finley/HANDOUT

The NBA is taking the lead in strengthening basketball in Kenya by organising a Basketball Experience Awareness Day for teachers at Nyayo National Stadium.

The two-day programme, run in partnership with Agence Française de Développement, brought together 100 Physical Education teachers for hands-on training in fundamentals, life skills, and curriculum delivery — equipping them to nurture young talent from the ground up.

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Basketball participation in Kenyan schools has grown steadily, but inconsistent coaching and patchy player pathways have limited the sport’s development. Many schools still rely on informal coaching, limited equipment, and unstructured teaching methods.
“Developing talent from a young age requires equipping teachers to handle players at every stage,” said Cynthia Kemunto of Kenya High School.
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“Coaching clinics exist, but we need more to strengthen skills consistently.”
Without proper fundamentals at the school level, promising players often reach clubs and leagues underprepared. Michael Finley, NBA Africa Kenya Country Operations Lead, called teachers “the missing link in Kenya’s basketball development chain.”
“Kenya has talent and passion for the game,” Finley said. “What’s been missing is structured, consistent teaching at schools — that’s where growth starts.”
At the league level, the Kenya Basketball Federation runs the Premier League and lower divisions, yet clubs continue to struggle with player depth and continuity as athletes transition from schools to competitive basketball.
The gap between school competitions and national leagues has slowed elite-level progress, even as Kenyan players gain exposure through regional and continental tournaments.
The programme introduces Jr. NBA Rookie and Starter modules for classroom and court, alongside life-skills sessions delivered with the Kenya Red Cross to support holistic athlete development.
“We’re not just teaching drills,” Finley said. “We’re giving teachers tools they can use every day — long after this event.”
Participants received training kits and took part in practical demonstrations at Nyayo National Stadium, with organisers expecting the impact to reach thousands of students nationwide.
Officials from the Ministry of Education, Kenya Basketball Federation, and Kenya Academy of Sports attended, signalling growing recognition that sustainable growth must start in schools.

“If teachers are confident and equipped,” Finley said, “the game grows naturally from the ground up.”