The NBA Academy Showcase will make its Middle East debut from September 25–27, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, offering a high-stakes platform for some of the world’s most promising teenage basketball prospects. Held at New York University Abu Dhabi, just ahead of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 (featuring the New York Knicks vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on October 2 & 4), the Showcase is designed to strengthen the international basketball pipeline and give young players exposure to NCAA coaches and NBA scouts. This event will showcase the NBA Academy Showcase Abu Dhabi 2025 international talent.
The Stakes & Significance
This event marks the first NBA Academy Showcase in the Middle East. It is part of the NBA’s ongoing efforts to globalise the game and invest in grassroots and international talent development through pipelines like NBA Academies, Basketball Without Borders (BWB), and the Jr. NBA.
Neal Meyer, Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations for NBA Europe & Middle East, explained:
“Abu Dhabi, and the Middle East as a whole, is emerging as a hub for basketball, and there is growing interest in the game. Hosting events like this helps strengthen the local basketball ecosystem.”
He added:
“Since 2022, our collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has significantly accelerated the growth of basketball across the region, with Abu Dhabi emerging as a key regional hub for basketball development. The city’s world-class infrastructure, commitment to creating opportunities for young people to play basketball, and international outlook make it an ideal location for this first-of-its-kind elite event.”
The Showcase is therefore not just about three days of games; it is about building a basketball ecosystem that stretches from grassroots community courts to the professional stage. It provides a vital stepping stone for teenagers with dreams of reaching the NBA.
Who’s Playing: Teams and Top Prospects
Four elite academies are taking part:
- NBA Academy Africa (Senegal): Based in Saly, Senegal, the Academy has become a beacon for African basketball talent. Alumni include several players who have gone on to NCAA Division I programmes and professional leagues worldwide.
- Centre of Excellence (Australia): This Canberra-based institution has produced a steady flow of NBA talent, including Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, and Josh Giddey. It is renowned for its rigorous training and focus on both athletic and academic development.
- INSEP (France): France’s Institut National du Sport is one of Europe’s premier talent factories, credited with shaping the careers of Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, and more recently Victor Wembanyama.
- IMG Academy Ascender Elite (USA): IMG in Florida is world-famous for producing elite athletes across sports. Its basketball programme has prepared players like Jonathan Isaac and Anfernee Simons for the NBA.
Several prospects at the Abu Dhabi Showcase are already attracting serious attention:
- Ralph Scott (IMG Academy): A 6′8″ forward from Bermuda, class of 2026, and MVP at Basketball Without Borders Americas earlier this year.
- Nathan Soliman (INSEP): A versatile 6′8″ wing, class of 2028, showcasing the next wave of French talent.
- Bamba Touray (IMG Academy): At just 15, the 7-foot Senegalese centre has drawn comparisons to raw but gifted prospects like Joel Embiid at the same age.
- Ajak Nyuon (Centre of Excellence): A 6′10″ forward, class of 2026, highlighting Australia’s growing influence on global basketball.
For many of these players, performing well in Abu Dhabi could open doors to NCAA Division I scholarships or professional contracts.
Schedule & Format
The Showcase runs over three days, with each team facing off in round-robin style:
| Date | Matchups |
| Thursday, Sept. 25 | Centre of Excellence vs. IMG Academy Ascender Elite, NBA Academy Africa vs. INSEP |
| Friday, Sept. 26 | IMG Academy Ascender Elite vs. NBA Academy Africa, INSEP vs. Centre of Excellence |
| Saturday, Sept. 27 | NBA Academy Africa vs. Centre of Excellence, IMG Academy Ascender Elite vs. INSEP followed by Awards Ceremony |
Games will be staged at NYU Abu Dhabi, with NCAA coaches and NBA scouts in attendance. Full film will also be made available to recruiters through Synergy.
The Broader Context: Building Basketball in the Middle East
The numbers tell the story. Since the NBA’s partnership with Abu Dhabi launched in 2022:
- Participation in basketball in Abu Dhabi has risen by 400%.
- Across the UAE, growth stands at 60%, and in the wider Middle East more than 50%.
- The Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League has already engaged more than 20,000 young players locally.
These grassroots investments are tied directly to the Showcase, creating a ladder for local and regional talent. It is a model the NBA has used effectively in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, producing dozens of NCAA players and several NBA draftees.
Meyer has even suggested the UAE could soon produce its own NBA-level player:
“Given the popularity, interest and now opportunities to play basketball in the UAE, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t start to soon see NBA-level players coming from the region.”
What This Means for the Future
The Showcase also highlights the NBA’s broader international ambitions. More than just a scouting exercise, events like this build sustainable ecosystems. Abu Dhabi is now not only hosting NBA preseason games but also shaping itself into a long-term development centre. The overlap between the Academy Showcase and the NBA Games Abu Dhabi 2025 demonstrates the league’s intention to connect grassroots development with global star power in one city.
For fans, this means Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming one of the most exciting international destinations to watch basketball evolve from the superstars of tomorrow to the household names of today.
ES Sport: Exclusive Hospitality for the NBA Games Abu Dhabi 2025
While the Showcase is about the future, the main event for fans arrives a week later when the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers step onto the court at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, on 2 and 4 October 2025.
At ES Sport, we are proud to be the official reseller of hospitality packages for the NBA Games Abu Dhabi 2025. Our mission is to provide a complete premium sporting experience.
Our Packages
- Category 4 Packages – Premium lower-bowl seats with outstanding views. A single-game Cat 4 package is priced at AED 3,300.
- Category 5–7 Packages – Excellent seats at accessible prices, from AED 1,600 (Cat 5) down to AED 750 (Cat 7).
- Ticket + Hotel Combos – Combine your game ticket with a luxury or premium hotel stay for a seamless trip.
Why Choose ES Sport?
- Official & Trusted – As authorised resellers, our packages guarantee authenticity.
- Best Seat Access – Secure your place in the most in-demand sections of Etihad Arena.
- Seamless Service – From e-tickets to hotel bookings, we handle every detail.
- Beyond the Game – With ES Sport, you enjoy more than basketball; you experience a premium sporting occasion in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
For more information, please visit: https://www.es-sport.ae/sports-experience/nba-games-abu-dhabi-2025/
The NBA Academy Showcase Abu Dhabi will shine a spotlight on the next generation of international talent, underlining the city’s rapid rise as a basketball hub. But the NBA Games Abu Dhabi 2025 are the marquee attraction, and with ES Sport’s exclusive hospitality packages, you can enjoy them in the most unforgettable way possible.
Basketball is coming to Abu Dhabi in style. Join us courtside.
