NBA Africa have today announced that its first original documentary series “Born & Bred” will premiere on the NBA App today with Nigeria Reuben Chinyelu to lead other African Stars.
The five-part series tells the stories of five current and former NBA Academy Africa prospects from Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Sudan through exclusive footage and interviews with the prospects, family members, friends, and coaches.
“Born & Bred,” which features Nigeria’s Rueben Chinyelu, Egypt’s Seifeldin Hendawy, South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach, Senegal’s Khadim Rassoul Mboup, and Angola’s Aginaldo Neto, spotlights each prospect’s basketball journey, including the communities where they were raised and the moments that have shaped them as players and young men.
Four of the prospects – Reuben Chinyelu, Hendawy, Mboup and Maluach – also competed in the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season as part of the BAL Elevate program.
It provides an opportunity for the next generation of African prospects to participate in a professional league, showcase their talent on a global stage, and help their respective teams compete for the BAL Championship.
The first two episodes will be available beginning today. “Basketball Chose Me” featuring Chinyelu will be available free on the NBA App.
“Dunk at First Sight” featuring Neto and the remainder of the series will be available exclusively via NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service. The final three episodes will be available weekly beginning Monday, Nov. 27.
“We’re thrilled to launch “Born & Bred”, a first-of-its-kind initiative for NBA Africa that will showcase the inspirational stories of prospects from across the continent who have come to NBA Academy Africa to take the next step in their basketball development journeys and lives,” said NBA Africa Head of Basketball Operations Franck Traore.
“Each of these players has a unique story, but they all share one common purpose – to get better every day as athletes, students and leaders. We look forward to showcasing their amazing stories to a global audience through the NBA App and NBA League Pass.”
“I never would’ve thought that the game would take me this far,” said Chinyelu. “While I know I’ve got plenty more work to do and many more goals to accomplish, I am grateful to my family, friends, coaches and teammates for taking part in this project, and I hope it provides motivation to other young players to search for their passion and follow their dreams.”
“Born & Bred” episodes:
- Episode 1 (Nov. 21): “Basketball Chose Me” features Reuben Chinyelu, a 19-year-old power forward from Lagos, Nigeria who is entering his freshman season with Washington State University. During his time at NBA Academy Africa, Chinyelu participated in several international showcases and events, including the 2022 NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, where he led NBA Academy Africa to a first-place finish. During the 2023 BAL season, he helped lead Stade Malien (Mali) to a third-place finish after averaging the second-most rebounds and blocks on the team.
- Reuben Chinyelu is a natural leader and has interest in art, creative writing and photography.
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