The NBA Academy Women’s Program provides basketball development camps and virtual programming for top female athletes globally.
There is no better time to be a women’s hooper.
On the heels of the WNBA’s 2023 campaign — the most-watched and attended regular season in over two decades — excitement surrounding the women’s game is at an all-time high, only further cemented by its record-setting social media engagement across WNBA digital platforms.
With the ascent of the collegiate game, and the NCAA women’s tournament most recently valued at its highest yet — the next generation of female basketball players are entering uncharted territory.
With that comes added access to opportunities.
To positively shape that generation of women in their on and off-court development, the NBA Academy Women’s Program launched the 2024 NBA Academy Women’s Virtual Program on Jan. 7. The four-week program hosts more than 50 of the most touted international basketball players (aged 14-16) hailing from 32 countries.
“The NBA Academy Women’s Program is a key pillar of our ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for young women around the world to develop on the court and as leaders in their communities.” said Cinnamon Lister, NBA Elite Basketball women’s operations lead.
“Beyond the on-court component, we want our players to benefit from the life skills and leadership development resources the program has to offer. We want to help prepare players for the next phase of their journeys.”
Lister (right) served as the Technical Director of the NBA Academy Women’s Camp in January 2023.
The agenda for the Virtual Program includes programming through the following areas, each taught by current and former WNBA players and NBA Academy staff:
- Goal Setting and NCAA Player Pathway
- Nutrition and Personal Branding
- Mental Health
- Women’s Empowerment and Leadership
Sessions will be headlined by guest speakers – seven of whom have WNBA experience – including current Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Los Angeles Sparks guard Jasmine Thomas and Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse. Three former WNBA players are also taking part, including WNBA legend Taj McWilliams-Franklin.
The group will also continue to hone in on the talents that brought them together — their basketball skills — with challenges centered around ball-handling, passing, footwork and rebounding.
While the Virtual Program enters its debut season, Lister has seen the effects of the NBA Academy Women’s Program since its 2018 inception. Forty-five participants have played at the Division I level and three players have signed professional contracts. New York Liberty center Han Xu became the first NBA Academy Women’s Program alum to be drafted into the WNBA in 2019.
“It’s been incredible to see some of the top international women’s basketball prospects who have gone through [The NBA Academy Women’s Program] continue to distinguish themselves in college and at the professional ranks,” Lister said. “They have demonstrated a tremendous level of passion for the game, a desire to play at the NCAA & WNBA levels and, just as importantly, a willingness to learn and get better.”
