Bahrain Duo Earn NBA Academy Call-Up

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain basketball prospects Mahdi Habib and Jok James are taking part in the NBA Academy Select Showcase in Abu Dhabi after being selected among 32 under-18 players from 14 countries.

Mujtaba Mahmood was also chosen for the four-day camp at New York University Abu Dhabi, but has been forced to miss the programme due to a recent injury.

Habib, captain of Bahrain’s youth basketball team, and James are accompanied by senior team assistant coach Leon Subotic. The showcase runs from today until Saturday.

Their selection places them among promising young players from across the Gulf, South Asia and Africa, with the programme designed to develop their skills while providing an opportunity to compete alongside and against talent from different countries.

Training includes individual skill development, physical conditioning, life-skills sessions, combine testing, evaluation games, team competitions and a three-point contest. The programme concludes on Saturday with final games and an awards ceremony.

Coaches with previous NBA experience Damian Cotter, James Wade, Henry Domercant and Dan Craig are leading the basketball programme, supported by NBA staff.

Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson are also attending the showcase.

The latest selections continue Bahrain basketball’s involvement in NBA development programmes after Hassan Abdulqader was previously chosen for the Basketball Without Borders Next Up camp in Istanbul, organised by the NBA and FIBA.