The four-day experience was designed for players to learn about impact investing and champion African entrepreneurs and innovators shaping the future of the continent

NEW YORK (June 25, 2025) – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), in collaboration with University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), organized One Court Africa, a four-day experience for NBA players to learn about impact investing and champion African entrepreneurs and innovators shaping the future of the continent.

Held between Marrakesh and Benguerir from June 16 to 20, the experience brought together players and leaders at UM6P for immersive sessions, workshops, and case study analyses on impact investing and methods for addressing societal and environmental challenges through innovation and sustainable business models.  

“One Court Africa truly represents our players’ deep sense of purpose and commitment to growing as leaders off the court,” said Matteo Zuretti, Chief Player Experience Officer at the NBPA. “Partnering with UM6P to host this experience has been a powerful example of cross-cultural collaboration in action.”

“The starting point of UM6P’s partnership with the NBPA is a shared commitment for youth empowerment and social impact,” said Mehdi El Khatib, Managing Director of UM6P United States Office. “From there, building One Court Africa was a matter of leveraging many of the strengths of UM6P: customized learning programs, strong involvement in African entrepreneurship & innovation ecosystems, and a global presence close to our partners, like the NBPA.”

“Africa Business School’s involvement in One Court Africa reflects our commitment to rigorous academic inquiry and innovative, customized pedagogy,” said Không-Lô Pham, Director of Custom Programs & Advisory, Africa Business School at UM6P. “The program engaged NBPA participants with Africa-focused case studies, direct interactions with African entrepreneurs, self-reflection exercises, and a call to action, encouraging them to apply their learning to real-world impact investing and social entrepreneurship across the continent.”

Alongside the One Court Africa experience, the NBPA and UM6P hosted an Innovation Challenge, where six African-led growth-stage startups participated in expert mentoring sessions, engaged in pitch competitions, and received a grant from the NBPA Foundation to accelerate their business ventures. Through tailored programming, the Innovation Challenge was designed to champion innovative startups and entrepreneurs who have built or are developing solutions in social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and inclusive growth in Africa.

“We are excited to bring this One Court Africa experience to life,” said Erika Swilley, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation. “From the classroom sessions to the case study analyses, this experience has demonstrated our players' commitment to long-term social impact in their own communities and around the world.”

Through the Innovation Challenge, the NBPA Foundation provided a total of $160,000 in grants to the OCP Foundation, which will distribute the funds to the six companies that participated in the pitch competition: Debbo Africa, Kodu Technology, xChange Box, Yello, Lima Africa, and Novate.  

About NBPA:

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of our players. They are the game.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, filing grievances on behalf of the players, counseling players on benefits, and educating players on post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the group licensing and partnership engine of the NBPA. With more than 80 active partnerships, THINK450 is dedicated to uncovering shared interests between players and leading brands to build more engaging collaborations.

The NBPA Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members by supporting and assisting people, communities, and organizations worldwide. It spotlights and amplifies the global initiatives of professional basketball players, driving positive change through community building, charitable endeavors, and social entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit www.nbpa.com and follow @thenbpa on social.
 

About University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P):

University Mohammed VI Polytechnic is a Moroccan university focused on solving African and global challenges through education, research, and innovation. Committed to nurturing future African leaders, UM6P advances in fields such as AI, health, green energy, and sustainable agriculture while positioning the humanities and social sciences as essential catalysts for inclusive, human-centered development. With campuses across Morocco and international branches in Europe and North America, it promotes inclusivity and entrepreneurship, delivering impactful solutions for Africa and the world.

For more information, please visit: https://www.um6p.ma/en

Media contact: communications@nbpa.com

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