Giants of Africa (GOA), the nonprofit organization founded by Masai Ujiri which uses basketball as a tool to empower youth and create opportunities across the continent, is making its first ever appearance in Europe at the adidas x ALBA Next Up Women’s Basketball Tournament in Berlin, Germany this week.
Taking place from September 3-6, the four-day tournament brings together eight teams from around the world, with Giants of Africa competing alongside teams from Australia, Hungary, Indonesia, Spain, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic. GOA will bring a delegation of women including eight young women from five African nations (Ethiopia, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania), all alumni of the Giants of Africa Festival, uniting as one team to represent the organization on the international stage. The delegation also includes GOA Coach Melissa Diawakana (DRC) and Assistant Coach Adetokunbo Ijomah (Nigeria), with the support of GOA Coach Geraldine Robert (Gabon) and staff.
The trip marks a major milestone for Giants of Africa’s Women’s Empowerment Program, a core pillar of the organization’s long-standing commitment to gender equity.
This program weaves empowerment and access for girls and young women into every layer of GOA’s work – and this international debut marks that mission reaching a new stage.
For many of the participants, the experience will also mark their first time traveling outside of Africa, making the tournament an opportunity to expand their worlds both on and off the court.
For the first three days, the team will participate in the tournament’s Group Stage: three games split between two groups.
Programming for the final day consists of multiple Cross Games, followed by an award ceremony and trophy presentation. Beyond competing, the group will attend games at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, also taking place in Berlin, allowing the young athletes to experience the highest level of women’s basketball firsthand and see what is possible for them within the sport.
Giants of Africa has demonstrated the life-changing power of investing in girls through inclusive sports programs and collaborations by ensuring at least 50% participation by girls in all of their camps, clinics, and outreach events. This approach breaks gender barriers, promotes leadership, and aligns with broader goals of gender equity and sustainable development. Their commitment extends to coaches as well. Giants of Africa hosts coaching clinics for women across the continent, providing access to high-level mentorship, practical training, and tools that can be immediately applied within their communities. At its core, the program addresses a persistent gap in access and resources faced by women and girls by building real pathways for them to learn, grow, and lead within the game, and in life.
The adidas x ALBA Next Up tournament represents the latest evolution of that work. What began with creating access to basketball courts, camps and mentorship across Africa is now creating opportunities for young women to compete and learn on an international stage.
