Morocco has taken a bold new step toward becoming a regional leader in youth sports development with the launch of its first-ever Junior NBA League. Unveiled on Friday in Benguerir, this landmark initiative is being spearheaded by the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) through its sports subsidiary, EVOSPORT, in collaboration with NBA Africa and the Act4Community program backed by the OCP Group.
More than just a basketball league, the project aims to blend athletic training with educational empowerment. According to organizers, the Junior NBA League is designed to develop young talent, promote gender equality in sports, and strengthen Morocco’s reputation as a rising hub for athletic excellence on both the continental and global stage.
The launch ceremony, held on the UM6P campus, brought together key figures from the university, Act4Community, EVOSPORT, and the NBA. Lending the event an unmistakable sense of gravitas was the presence of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, whose participation underscored the international scope and ambition of the program. His appearance, organizers noted, served as a powerful source of inspiration for the young athletes in attendance.
The initiative rests on three core pillars: building a new generation of Moroccan basketball players trained to international standards; using sport as a vehicle for social inclusion by ensuring equal participation of boys and girls; and positioning Morocco as a central player in Africa’s evolving sports and education landscape by combining performance, training, and innovation.
More than 2,000 Moroccan youths, both male and female, between the ages of 12 and 16 will participate in the inaugural season of the Junior NBA League Morocco. The competition will be spread across five cities—Benguerir, Khouribga, Laâyoune, El Jadida, and Safi. Each city will host a local league made up of 30 teams: 15 boys’ and 15 girls’ squads, competing in a structured format that mirrors the NBA’s organizational standards.
To ensure fair and balanced competition, players will be allocated using a draft system, similar to the one used in the NBA. Beyond just the games, the program includes specialized training sessions and awareness workshops led by certified coaches. It also aims to certify more than 50 local trainers, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to sustain basketball development in Morocco for years to come.
What sets this initiative apart is its dual-track approach. On one side, a dedicated NBA Basketball School will be created in Morocco to offer elite-level coaching while instilling core educational values. On the other, a broader rollout of Junior NBA Leagues across the country is planned to ensure the program’s reach is both deep and wide.
Backed by the Ministry of Education and Sports, and guided by the national strategy to make Morocco a premier sports destination, this initiative is about more than just scoring baskets. It’s a long-term investment in the country’s youth and communities, laying the groundwork for a sustainable sports ecosystem that can produce both elite athletes and responsible citizens.
“We want this to go beyond sports,” said Ismail Lyoubi, CEO of EVOSPORT. “Basketball is a powerful tool to teach discipline, teamwork, and ambition. Our goal is to put Morocco firmly on the map—not just in Africa, but globally—as a country where sports and education work hand in hand.”
That sentiment was echoed by Amadou Gallo Fall, president of NBA Africa, who called the partnership a clear example of how sport can be a transformative force. “Together with EVOSPORT and Act4Community, we believe this is an investment in the next generation—and in the future of the country,” he said.
EVOSPORT, a subsidiary of UM6P, is tasked with reshaping Morocco’s sports industry by building a comprehensive, sustainable ecosystem. Its mission aligns with the broader national vision of making the Kingdom a top-tier sporting hub for Africa and beyond. As for NBA Africa, the organization continues to expand its footprint across the continent, working to grow the game while maximizing its social and economic impact.
