by Jing on Sun Dec 25, 2005 5:19 am
[NEW YORK, Jan. 18] – Today NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the opening of the NLSC Academies. The NLSC Academies were created to promote the sport of basketball and the NBA over the world, as well as provide a basketball school for kids in different areas of the world. The academy project started during the summer of 2005, though the NBA did not announce it until its opening.
The academies have been opened on 5 different continents, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The North American academy is located in the quiet Pioneer Valley town of Amherst, Massachusetts. The South American academy is stationed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Europe’s Academy is located in the city of Paris, France. In Asia the decision came down to the capital of Japan and China, and due to popular vote from the NBA player’s association, Beijing was chosen. Lastly the city of Brisbane, home to the Brisbane Bullets, was selected to host the Australian Academy.
“We are extremely excited about this because now we can spread basketball even further to everyone around the world. These academies will recruit the best players from their continent and train them to be the best. Perhaps they will have a chance to be in the NBA or in their own professional leagues in their own countries.” – Commissioner Stern told press. “The Academies have already recruited some of the best talent so far, I won’t say who they are, but I am pretty sure you will see them in a couple years”.
The Academies will not be solely for basketball however. Although it is mainly focusing on basketball, Stern has noted that it is almost like a college-preparation school, because the academy is not focused on having players jump straight to the NBA, therefore players must achieve at least a 2.0 GPA in school to continue training. However the NLSC Academies are directly connected to the NBA and NBDL, therefore experience in the Academies may also count for players who are thinking of jumping to the NBA and it gives the Association another branch in to the world.
The Academies do not accept just anyone however, they have professional scouts who scour their respected continents and find the best athletes and players. There have been reports that several youngsters have already been recruited and are playing in the Academies right now. They include towering Ben Branch from Brisbane, Australia, attending the academy in his hometown, as and Desmond Jackson of Memphis attending the North American academy. The academies will also compete with the best high school teams and lower level college basketball teams throughout the year. Each Academy will have 12 teams: Freshman A and B, Junior Varsity A and B, and Varsity A and B; the girls will go in the same order.
“These kids that you are looking at… or rather will be looking at; will be the new face of the NBA. They will rise through the ranks and we hope they will make it all the way to the top. The Academy’s goal is to find the players who have the most potential and train them to meet that potential and develop into great players” – Stern said at the end of the press conference.
Last edited by
Jing on Sun Dec 25, 2005 6:31 am, edited 1 time in total.