Every African school deserves a basketball court: Masai Ujiri at the inauguration of the African Giants court in Lagos

Masai Ujiri, founder of Giants of Africa, has called for every school in Africa to have access to a basketball court as the organization inaugurated its 50th court on the continent at King’s College Lagos.

During the inauguration ceremony of the newly built court in Lagos, Ujiri described the milestone as part of a broader vision to empower African youth through sport, education and community participation.

“We should have this in every school we go to, not just in Nigeria, but all over Africa. “I think basketball is the number two sport on the continent and hopefully one day we can challenge football,” he said.

Founded in 2003, Giants of Africa began its journey in Nigeria before expanding across the continent.

According to Ujiri, the organization has organized outreach programs, basketball camps and court projects in 22 African countries.

The new facility marks the African Giants’ 10th basketball court in Nigeria and the 50th court built in Africa under the organization’s “Build Within” initiative, which aims to build 100 courts across the continent.

Ujiri praised the students, Kings College Old Boys (KCOB) and Weber Engineering, for helping make the project a reality, adding that the pitch was designed to serve both the students and the surrounding community.

“These fields are being used by the community, not just the school. That is our model with Gigantes de Africa. We want to make sure it reaches a large number of young people,” he said.

It raises concerns over the aging school infrastructure in Nigeria and urges government authorities and stakeholders to modernize educational facilities while preserving their historical value.

Addressing the students directly, Ujiri challenged young Nigerians to become drivers of change across Africa.

“You are the ones who are going to change Africa. You have to dream bigger and think better,” he said.

He highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence on the continent, noting that the country’s population, innovation and youthful energy place a great responsibility on its citizens to lead development efforts.

“When Nigeria moves, Africa moves,” he added.

Reflecting on the organization’s progress, Ujiri expressed confidence that Giants of Africa will eventually achieve its goal of building 100 basketball courts across Africa.

“We’re already at 50. It’s part of the journey. We’re headed for 100,” he said.