Player: Efe Abogidi
School: Washington State University
Year: Freshman
Home Country: Nigeria
High School: NBA Academy Africa (Saly, Senegal) and NBA Global Academy (Canberra, Australia)
Player Background
- Prior to joining Washington State University, Efe was a student-athlete at NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, and more recently NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia.
- In January 2017, Efe was provided a scholarship to attend NBA Academy Africa – an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal for the top prospects from throughout Africa and the first of its kind on the continent.
- When Efe was 15-years-old, he made international headlines by dunking from the free throw line at Seed Project’s Hoops Forum 2017.
- Following his continued growth and development at NBA Academy Africa, , Efe transitioned to NBA Global Academy in Australia, which serves as the hub for top prospects from across the league’s academies. Efe became the first player from Nigeria to join NBA Global Academy.
- During his time in the NBA Academy program, Efe developed under world-renowned coaches including former St. Mary’s associate head coach and Australia Men’s National Team assistant coach Marty Clarke.
Background on NBA Academies
- NBA Academy is an elite basketball development initiative that provides top high school-age prospects from outside the U.S. with a holistic approach to player development. The NBA Academy program includes six academies across Australia, China, India, Mexico and Senegal for top male and female prospects from their respective countries and continents.
- The year-round program focuses on health and wellness, character development and life skills, and gives prospects the opportunity to learn the game from outside coaches who the NBA hires with professional, collegiate and international coaching experience.
- As part of the program, the prospects compete against top competition throughout the year and have an opportunity to be selected for travel teams that play in international tournaments and exhibition games.
- Since 2016, 43 NBA Academy participants have committed to NCAA Division-1 schools and seven participants have signed professional contracts.
