Next Up: South Africa x Madagascar

After a successful first Immersion Trip in Turks & Caicos (check out recap here), we're setting our sights on a second immersion in two of the world's fastest-growing, but very under-the-radar, basketball communities: South Africa and Madagascar.

Both of these countries as basketball communities are extremely promising. With the Cape Town Tigers competing in the budding Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Madagascar's u19 team competing on the world stage in the FIBA World Cup, there's potential here, and love for the game beginning to spread through the country.

And as the NBA is devoting significant resources into the BAL, the "light at the end of the tunnel" for hoopers across Africa is becoming closer physically and figuratively, but there are still plenty of gaps to be filled - primarily in the form of boots-on-the-ground inspiration and education, as well as resources for participation. That's exactly where we're looking to come into play.

Madagascar basketball is still at a very early stage, but has unbelievable amount of potential.

How It'd Look:

Our journey to Grow the Game across the bottom part of Africa would begin in Cape Town, South Africa. Here, we'd spend 2-3 days working to:

• Run a multiple-day players' camp with the goal of exposing young athletes to high-level training techniques, and facilitating relationships between young hoopers in the area; all while inspiring more participation and answering any questions the players may have! This also includes a psychological and mental health workshop for the players.
• Host a one-day coaches' clinic to educate and inspire local coaches and trainers. We truly believe that one quality coach can change thousands of lives, so any impact we may have here is key.
• Organize a competitive, high-energy 3x3 tournament to unite and spark the basketball community.
• Keep an eye out for any young hoopers who would benefit from the opportunity to play high school or college basketball in the USA or with other partner organizations across the world.

We'd then look to make a stop in Johannesburg, where we'd soak up and document the basketball culture, as well as plan a one-day camp and coaches' engagement event.

Finally, we'd make our way to Madagascar to spend roughly 5 days, running back everything we're planning in Cape Town, with the additional goal of refurbishing an outdoor court at the center of a community with new concrete and artwork representative of the culture, values, and history of the area.

Our Fundraising Goals:

• Baseline travel, accommodation, and living expenses for a two potential 10-day Immersion (2-person team): $10,500
• Payment of training vendors for 5 combined days of training between South Africa and Madagascar: $2,500
• Court refurbish (new concrete work, painting, etc.): $5,000
• New basketballs (100): $2,000
• Shirts for both hoop communities (300 total): $3,000

How to Support:

• Merchandise: all proceeds go towards our project, and it helps support the "Grow the Game" message!

• Brand and individual partnerships: if you or someone you know is interested in partially or fully sponsoring the immersion, the AEI is dedicated to promoting the brand over the course of the experience and creating maximum brand awareness through content that reaches an audience of over 500,000 globally.
• Donation: of course, we're gladly accepting any gracious donations to make this happen. Click the button below to do so!