NBA Africa, an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), has officially announced the return of its original documentary series, “Born and Bred,” with the second season premiering on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, on the NBA App.
This season promises to captivate basketball enthusiasts with five compelling episodes that delve into the lives of current and former NBA Academy Africa student-athletes from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt, and Senegal as they chase their dreams of basketball stardom.
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The first episode, titled “Small Village. Big Dreams,” features Ulrich Chomche, an 18-year-old forward from Bafang, Cameroon, who made history as the first NBA Academy Africa prospect to be drafted directly to the NBA.
Selected 57th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and later traded to the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft, Chomche’s journey from a small Cameroonian village to the NBA epitomizes the power of determination and talent. Viewers can catch all five episodes on the NBA App, with new episodes releasing weekly throughout September.
Season two of “Born and Bred” highlights the stories of several promising athletes, including Chomche and other notable NBA Academy Africa alumni.
Featured in the series are former NBA G League Ignite players Babacar Sané (now with Utah Jazz; Senegal) and Thierry Darlan (Central African Republic), as well as current academy prospects Ali Assran (Egypt) and Modou Fall Thiam (Senegal).
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Episode Overview:
– Episode One: “Small Village. Big Dreams” (August 29th): Focuses on Ulrich Chomche’s rise from NBA Academy Africa to becoming the first Academy prospect drafted directly into the NBA.
– Episode Two: “Birth of Young Ossoko” (September 5th): Chronicles Babacar Sané’s journey from Senegal to NBA G League Ignite and his subsequent signing with the Utah Jazz.
– Episode Three: “Breaking Ground” (September 12th): Features Ali Assran, a 17-year-old Egyptian forward, as he represents his country at the U17 FIBA Basketball World Cup and navigates life at the NBA Academy Africa.
– Episode Four: “The Quiet Leader” (September 19th): Follows Modou Fall Thiam from Senegal as he overcomes injury setbacks and plays in international tournaments, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
– Episode Five: “Against All Odds” (September 26th): Highlights Thierry Darlan’s journey from the NBA Academy Africa to becoming a standout player in the BAL and a prospect with NBA G League Ignite.
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“Born and Bred” season one premiered in November 2023, featuring other NBA Academy Africa prospects, including Nigeria’s Rueben Chinyelu and Egypt’s Seifeldin Hendawy. The series has become a crucial platform, showcasing the incredible talent emerging from the NBA Academy Africa, which was established in 2017 as the first elite basketball training centre on the continent.
Since its inception, the academy has produced over 40 male and female participants who have gone on to secure NCAA Division I scholarships in the U.S. or sign professional contracts, further cementing NBA Academy Africa’s role as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young African athletes.
Don’t miss out on this riveting journey—stream all episodes of “Born and Bred” season two on the NBA App and witness the future of African basketball unfold.
The NBA app is free to download here.
