The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi brought together 36 elite high-school-age prospects from 15 countries for a four-day development and competition event at NYU Abu Dhabi from September 23–26, 2026. Nigeria’s Stephen Edwin was named MVP, while the championship game saw the Chicago Bulls team defeat the San Antonio Spurs squad 42–23.winwin+4
This inaugural showcase forms a key pillar of the NBA’s expanded partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), which also includes the upcoming launch of the NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital as the worldwide hub for the league’s academy network.nba+2
Key Highlights
- 36 prospects from 15 countries across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia participated in the first NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi.winwin+2
- Stephen Edwin (Nigeria) was crowned MVP after standout performances in skills sessions and exhibition games.arabnews+2
- All-Showcase Team included Edwin, Bahrain’s Mahdi Baqer, Egypt’s Yahya Ammar, India’s Shekhar Rathee and Côte d’Ivoire’s Nathan Djako, who also won Defensive MVP.arabnews+2
- NBA legends Ron Harper and Jason Richardson joined veteran assistant coaches to mentor prospects in drills, workouts and life-skills sessions.arabnews+2
- Chicago Bulls beat San Antonio Spurs 42–23 in the showcase’s championship game, capping off four days of development-focused competition.curlytales+1
Table of Contents
- What Happened?
- Important Details
- Why Is This News Important?
- Latest Updates
- Official Statement / Source
- Background / Context
- Reactions and Public Response
- What Happens Next?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
What Happened?
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi made its debut as a premier youth basketball development event, gathering top high-school-age players from across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia for intensive training and exhibition competition. Held at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, the four-day programme combined on-court skills work, combine-style testing, life-skills workshops and team-based showcase games evaluated by NBA and NCAA personnel.winwin+2
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi was designed to identify and accelerate the development of elite teenage prospects while giving them exposure to high-level coaching and scouting networks. Over the course of the event, participants trained under NBA legends and veteran assistant coaches, competed in small-sided and full-court games, and took part in shooting and athletic testing.nba+2
The showcase concluded with a final between two all-star squads named after NBA franchises, as the Chicago Bulls team defeated the San Antonio Spurs team 42–23 in the championship contest. Nigeria’s Stephen Edwin, who had recently been named MVP at the Elite 50 Adidas Banire Basketball Camp, carried that form into Abu Dhabi and was honoured as the showcase’s most valuable player.curlytales+3
Important Details
Who Participated in the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi?
A total of 36 high-school-age prospects from 15 countries were initially selected for the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi, with 32 ultimately taking part after some changes to the roster. The group included players from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, South Asia and Africa, reflecting the event’s regional development focus.winwin+2
Represented nations included the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria from the Middle East; Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Morocco and Tanzania from Africa; and India from South Asia. UAE prospects Hamid Eissa Moharrami, Mohamed Jasim and Obaid Yaqoot featured alongside UAE-based Italian-Middle Eastern player Matteo Carlomagno.arabnews+2
Bahrain sent two players: Mahdi Baqer, who plays for Muharraq Club and was named to the All-Showcase Team, and Jock James of Al Najma, who also impressed scouts. Egypt’s Yahya Ammar, who previously competed at the 2025 U-16 AfroBasket, earned a spot on the All-Showcase Team after strong all-around play.arabnews+3
From India, guard Shekhar Rathee stood out by winning the three-point contest and securing a place in the best five, while forwards Arman Matoria and Ansh Tomer also took part. Côte d’Ivoire’s Nathan Djako, a standout at recent FIBA U-17 and U-18 tournaments, was named Defensive MVP and completed the All-Showcase Team.arabnews+3
When and Where Was It Held?
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi ran from September 23 to 26, 2026, at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus on Saadiyat Island. The university’s indoor facilities hosted the combine testing, skills sessions and exhibition games, with access limited to registered participants, NBA personnel, NCAA coaches and spectators for the games-only sessions.curlytales+3
How Was the Event Structured?
The programme blended player development and evaluation. Days included:
- Skills-development sessions focused on shooting, ball-handling, finishing and defensive fundamentals.gulfnews+1
- Combine-style testing to measure athletic metrics and provide data for scouts.
- Life-skills and educational workshops aimed at off-court growth
- Exhibition games in various formats, including 3v3 contests and full-court showcase matches.winwin+1
Coaching was led by five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and two-time Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson, supported by veteran NBA assistant coaches Damian Cotter, Dan Craig, Henry Domercant and James Wade.arabnews+2
What Were the Results and Awards?
At the conclusion of the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi, individual and team honours were announced:
- MVP: Stephen Edwin (Nigeria)arabnews+2
- Defensive MVP: Nathan Djako (Côte d’Ivoire)arabnews+1
- Three-Point Contest winner: Shekhar Rathee (India)arabnews+1
- All-Showcase Team: Stephen Edwin, Mahdi Baqer (Bahrain), Yahya Ammar (Egypt), Shekhar Rathee (India), Nathan Djako (Côte d’Ivoire)arabnews+2
- 3v3 competition winners: Jock James, Shekhar Rathee, Arman Matoria and Ismail Hassini
- Championship game: Chicago Bulls team 42, San Antonio Spurs team 23curlytales+1
Why Is This News Important?
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi marks a significant step in the NBA’s strategy to grow the game and uncover talent in emerging basketball markets. By concentrating elite teenage prospects from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia in one location and exposing them to NBA-level coaching and evaluation, the league is creating a clearer pathway for players who might otherwise lack visibility.nba+2
The event also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for international sport. In January 2026, the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi announced a long-term partnership extension that includes preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing and fan activities, and the launch of the NBA Global Academy in the emirate. The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi is one of two annual youth tournaments stipulated in that agreement, complementing the earlier NBA Academy Showcase that featured academy teams from Senegal, the United States, France and Australia.nba+4
For regional basketball, the significance lies in both inspiration and infrastructure. Young players from the Gulf, Levant and South Asia can now point to a recurring, high-profile event in their own region that mirrors global showcase formats used in the United States and Europe. For national federations and clubs, the presence of NBA and NCAA staff offers a benchmark for player development standards and recruitment expectations.nba+2
Latest Updates
- September 23–26, 2026: First NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi held at NYU Abu Dhabi with 36 selected prospects from 15 countries; 32 ultimately participate.winwin+2
- September 26, 2026: Showcase concludes with Chicago Bulls team defeating San Antonio Spurs team 42–23 in the final; Stephen Edwin named MVP, Nathan Djako Defensive MVP, Shekhar Rathee three-point contest winner.curlytales+2
- September 27, 2026: All-Showcase Team announced, featuring Edwin, Baqer, Ammar, Rathee and Djako; Bahrain’s Mahdi Baqer highlighted in regional media for earning all-select honours.x+2
- October 5, 2026: Ron Harper and Jason Richardson give interviews reflecting on the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi, emphasizing dream-chasing, skill development and the evolving game.arabnews+2
- October 7, 2026: Bahraini prospect Mahdi Habib (also referred to as Mahdi Baqer/Habib in some reports) is noted as captain of the national youth team and confirmed as an All-Showcase Team member in follow-up coverage.gdnonline+1
Official Statement / Source
The NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi have framed the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi as part of a broader, long-term commitment to basketball development in the UAE and surrounding regions. In January 2026, the two parties announced an extended collaboration featuring preseason NBA Global Games, additional youth and fan programming, and the establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi as the global hub for the NBA Academy network.nba+2
According to the official NBA press release, the NBA Global Academy will operate year-round as an elite basketball and academic development programme for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world. It will include elite development programmes for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls, and residential places for up to 24 male prospects from outside the region.mundodeportivo+3
Within that framework, Abu Dhabi will host two annual basketball tournaments featuring top youth and elite players from around the world, beginning with the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase and continuing with events such as the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi. The official NBA Academy website lists the 2025 showcase under its events archive and notes that the NBA Academy programme is currently operating in Senegal for African prospects, with the new NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi set to launch later in 2026.nba+4
Background / Context
The NBA Academy Programme
The NBA Academy system is the league’s global network of elite training centres designed to identify and develop top high-school-age talent outside the United States. The first NBA Academy opened in Africa (Senegal) and has already produced NBA draft picks, most recently South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach, who joined the academy at age 14 and was selected 10th overall by the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft.clubble+2
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi builds on this model by creating a regional showcase that feeds into the broader academy ecosystem. Rather than being a residential academy itself, the showcase functions as an intensive camp and tournament where prospects are evaluated, coached and exposed to NBA and NCAA networks. Some participants are already linked to NBA-affiliated programmes, such as The South/Banire Basketball Academy in Nigeria, which has a track record of placing players in US high school and college basketball.nba+2
Abu Dhabi’s Growing NBA Partnership
Abu Dhabi’s relationship with the NBA has deepened over recent years, moving from occasional preseason games to a multi-faceted strategic partnership. In January 2026, the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi announced a long-term renewal that expands the league’s footprint in the UAE. Key elements include:nba+2
- Continuation of preseason NBA Global Games in Abu Dhabi.nba+1
- Launch of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi as the worldwide hub for the NBA Academy programme.as+2
- Two annual youth tournaments, including the NBA Academy Showcase and the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi.nba+2
- Expanded youth and community basketball initiatives and fan experiences across the emirate.arabnews+2
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, and NBA executives such as David Watts, Head of Middle East Strategy & Development, have publicly underscored the aim of using Abu Dhabi as a base to nurture regional talent while also positioning the city as a global basketball destination.gulfnews+1
The 2025 NBA Academy Showcase
Prior to the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi, the emirate hosted the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase from September 25–27 at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus. That event featured top high-school-age players from four elite programmes: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (United States), INSEP (France) and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. It was open to the public for games only, as well as NBA personnel and NCAA coaches, and served as a precursor to the more regionally focused NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi.nba+4
Regional Basketball Development
Basketball has been growing across the Middle East and South Asia, with increased investment in youth academies, school programmes and national-team pathways. The presence of NBA legends and assistant coaches at the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi signals a commitment to raising coaching standards and providing role models for young players. Ron Harper, speaking to Arab News, emphasized that while reaching the NBA is not easy, it is possible for players from the region if they commit to daily improvement and surround themselves with quality coaching.arabnews+2
Jason Richardson, meanwhile, highlighted the modern game’s emphasis on shooting and all-around skills, noting that prospects must develop their ball-handling, defence and basketball IQ in addition to athleticism. His comments reflect broader global trends influenced by the three-point revolution and position the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi as not just a talent ID event but also a teaching platform for contemporary basketball.gulfnews+1
Reactions and Public Response
Coverage of the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi in regional and international media has been broadly positive, focusing on the event’s potential to open doors for Middle Eastern and South Asian players. Outlets such as Arab News, Gulf News and News of Bahrain highlighted the participation of local and regional prospects, the involvement of NBA legends, and the awards won by players from Nigeria, Bahrain, Egypt, India and Côte d’Ivoire.curlytales+5
Bahraini media gave particular attention to Mahdi Baqer’s selection to the All-Showcase Team, noting his role as a key player for the national youth team and his club Muharraq. UAE outlets emphasized the presence of Emirati prospects Hamid Eissa Moharrami, Mohamed Jasim and Obaid Yaqoot, framing their participation as a milestone for local basketball.arabnews+4
On social media and basketball analysis platforms, scouts and analysts have begun profiling several participants as prospects to watch, especially Nigerian guard Stephen Edwin, Qatari big Ameer Hausawi, Qatari playmaker Azam Yakan, and Indian forward Ansh Tomer. While full statistical data from the showcase has not been widely published, the event has already generated discussion about which players might pursue US high school or college opportunities in the coming years.x+1
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step for many participants is to leverage the exposure gained at the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi to secure further development opportunities. For some, this may mean joining NBA-affiliated academy programmes, enrolling in US high schools or prep schools, or attracting interest from NCAA recruiters. The presence of NCAA coaches and NBA scouts at the event was intentional, with the aim of creating direct links between regional talent and global pathways.nba+2
In the broader timeline, the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi is set to launch later in 2026 as the global hub of the NBA Academy network. Once operational, it will provide year-round, residential and non-residential programmes for elite high-school-age players from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world. The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi is expected to continue as an annual event under the long-term NBA–DCT Abu Dhabi agreement, forming a regular scouting and development checkpoint alongside the other annual youth tournament.nba+6
Exact dates and formats for future editions of the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi have not been publicly confirmed beyond the general commitment to two annual youth tournaments in the emirate. Likewise, detailed rosters and statistics from the 2026 showcase remain partially unavailable, with some information pieced together by analysts and local media rather than released in full by the NBA.nba+3
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi?
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi is an elite youth basketball event organized by the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi, bringing together top high-school-age prospects from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia for skills training, combine testing and exhibition games.winwin+2
When and where was the 2026 NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi held?
The 2026 NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi took place from September 23 to 26 at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus in the UAE capital.curlytales+2
Who won MVP at the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi?
Nigeria’s Stephen Edwin was named MVP of the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi after impressive performances in drills and games, having recently earned MVP honours at another elite camp.arabnews+2
Which players made the All-Showcase Team?
The All-Showcase Team included Stephen Edwin (Nigeria), Mahdi Baqer (Bahrain), Yahya Ammar (Egypt), Shekhar Rathee (India) and Nathan Djako (Côte d’Ivoire), who also won Defensive MVP.arabnews+2
Did any UAE players participate in the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi?
Yes, UAE prospects Hamid Eissa Moharrami, Mohamed Jasim and Obaid Yaqoot took part, along with UAE-based Matteo Carlomagno, representing local talent at the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi.arabnews+2
What is the link between the showcase and the NBA Global Academy?
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi is part of the NBA’s expanded partnership with Abu Dhabi, which includes launching the NBA Global Academy in the city as the global hub for the NBA Academy programme.nba+2
How many countries were represented at the showcase?
A total of 15 countries across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia were represented among the 36 selected prospects, with 32 ultimately participating in the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi.winwin+2
What happens after the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi?
Participants use the exposure to pursue further opportunities such as academy placements, US high school or college recruitment, while the NBA continues to develop the NBA Global Academy and future editions of the showcase in Abu Dhabi.nba+2
Conclusion
The NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi has established itself as a landmark event for youth basketball in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, combining elite coaching, high-level competition and global exposure in a single programme. By crowning players like Stephen Edwin as MVP and highlighting talents from Bahrain, Egypt, India and beyond, the showcase underscores the depth of emerging basketball potential in these regions.winwin+5
As the NBA Global Academy prepares to open in Abu Dhabi and the long-term partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi unfolds, the NBA Academy Select Showcase Abu Dhabi is poised to become a recurring gateway for the next generation of international prospects. For young players dreaming of professional careers, the message from NBA legends on site was clear: with hard work, quality coaching and the right opportunities, those dreams are within reach.nba+5
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