The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism

The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism prepares students to be innovators and leaders in all facets of sports media. The center’s unique, experiential curriculum and public programs elevate and amplify discussion of race, gender, politics and the world — just as Shirley Povich did each morning in The Washington Post.

Basketball in Africa

African-born NBA players focus on advancing the game

At the tip-off of the 2024 NBA season, team rosters included 19 African-born players. There have been 67 NBA players from the continent across the league’s history. The continent has produced two NBA MVPs, Hakeem Olajuwan in 1993 and Joel…

Basketball in Africa

Basketball is booming in Africa, but court access lags

KIGALI, Rwanda — On a pleasant June morning with the sun peeking behind the Rwandan clouds, two basketball courts tucked away from the bustling Kigali streets offer a brief respite. Enclosed by murals, trees and a chain-link fence, Club Rafiki…

CNS TV

BAL Championship: A long time coming

KIGALI, Rwanda — Petro de Luanda has competed in the Basketball Africa League since its start in 2021. The Angolan basketball team has played in every BAL Finals, never leaving with the title, until now. Petro de Luanda defeated Libya’s…

CNS TV

From drums to dancing, BAL fans bring passion to finals

KIGALI, Rwanda — All throughout the championship game of the Basketball Africa League, fans banged on drums while others danced and chanted along — bringing the BK Arena to life. Step into the atmosphere of the crowd, that combined African…

CNS TV

Five things to know about the Basketball Africa League

The Basketball Africa League started in 2021 and has become the premier continental basketball league in Africa. From how to qualify for the finals to a women’s program to promote female success in the sports industry, here are five things…

The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism

Basketball in Africa

For “NBA Africa,” ten student reporters from The Shirley Povich Center for Sport Journalism are reporting from Africa on efforts of the National Basketball Association to grow interest in the league and to develop talent across the world’s second largest and second most populous continent.