Basketball Without Borders Marks 25 Years of Global Talent
The NBA and FIBA's Basketball Without Borders program celebrates its 25th anniversary with a new 'Next Up' camp format, having launched stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA's global development program, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, it has served as a launching pad for stars like reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, and champion Jamal Murray.
NBA players like Jalen Suggs and Khris Middleton are now returning as coaches. They led prospects through drills and games at the inaugural men's 'Next Up' camp in Istanbul, Turkiye, last week.
New Format for a Global Game
To mark its anniversary, the NBA and FIBA have launched a new format for the program. It now consists of two annual camps for the top 80 male and female prospects outside the United States. The first women's 'Next Up' camp is scheduled for this fall.
NBA Director of Elite Basketball Brendan McKillop explained the change to CBS Sports. He said the goal was to meet the game where it is now. He pointed to the rising skill level of prospects from around the world, noting that players from countries not historically known for basketball are improving every year.
Identifying and Uniting Talent
The process starts with a dedicated NBA scouting group overseen by McKillop. This group attends FIBA events and tournaments worldwide year-round. They also rely on a network of clubs, federations, and agents to build a global depth chart for every player class.
The new centralized 'Next Up' camp brings the best together. Last week in Istanbul, players from 44 countries across six continents participated. Serbian forward Matija Lukic was named camp MVP, while Portuguese forward Miguel Sousa won defensive MVP honors.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs praised the participants, saying they are talented, skilled, intelligent, and athletic enough to play at a high level.
Impact on Prospects and the NBA
For many prospects, especially from regions with less basketball infrastructure, the camp is a vital exposure opportunity. McKillop told reporters he believes it can change some kids' lives. The event also provides value for NBA teams, with dozens of league scouts attending the Istanbul camp to watch all on-court action.
Current NBA players volunteer their time to coach, often returning year after year. Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton emphasized the mentorship role, saying it is about teaching the game and being someone players at the camp can look up to.
Tracking Global Growth
The explosion of talent from outside the U.S. In the NBA has coincided with the BWB program's history. The source provided CBS Sports with comparative figures illustrating this growth.
| Metric | Before BWB Era (Pre-2001) | Since BWB Started (2001-Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Players from Abroad on Opening Night Rosters | 24 (in 1995) | 135 (record, 2024) |
| No. 1 Overall Draft Picks from Other Nations | 3 | 9 |
| MVP Winners from Overseas | 1 | 11 |
Khris Middleton, who entered the league in 2012, has witnessed the shift firsthand. He recalled that teams used to have maybe one or two foreign players, but now it feels like half the roster or more.
Jalen Suggs told reporters he loves the way the game is taught in other parts of the world.
Looking ahead, the NBA's agenda abroad includes growing the Basketball Africa League and launching an NBA Europe League. The current plan is to start the Europe League in the fall of 2027 with 16 teams, though nothing is finalized. McKillop said there is so much change coming in the near future.
