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Almost a decade ago, Los Angeles Clippers centre Zubac was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers having played professionally as a teenager in Serbia and his homeland Croatia.<\/p>\n
It is a similar path for many Europeans entering the NBA and WNBA.<\/p>\n
One of the camp’s aims is to scout the best talents outside of the US from a young age.<\/p>\n
“I never really had a chance to participate [in these camps] as a kid but I would’ve loved to,” said Zubac, 28.<\/p>\n
“I think getting advice, knowledge and experience from the NBA players, NBA coaches, all the basketball legends here, some of who have won a lot of championships, it’s very valuable and I think it’s going to be really helpful.”<\/p>\n
NBA’s 2024-25 Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is among the current stars who have attended BWB camps, as well as 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid and 23-year-old Williams.<\/p>\n
A total of 129 players who have attended the camps, including 41 currently in NBA starting teams, have gone on to play in either the NBA or WNBA.<\/p>\n
Irene Oboavwoduo, from Manchester, hopes this might happen for her too and first aiming for a US college route to help her chances. <\/p>\n
“It’s pretty hard because basketball is not as big in England, but basketball is expanding in the UK,” said the 17-year-old. “I’m glad I’ve been able to do this as an experience for exposure.”<\/p>\n
Nurse believes the return of NBA matches to the UK can only help the sport grow.<\/p>\n
“The NBA and the WNBA are certainly turning into international leagues. There are players from all over the world now,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a huge boost. When the NBA brings its brand and brings its star power, bringing NBA players certainly draws a lot of attention.”<\/p>\n
Williams’ arrival to the NBA will make him the fourth active Briton in the league alongside OG Anunoby, Tosan Evbuomwan and Jeremy Sochan, although Sochan plays internationally for Poland.<\/p>\n
There are currently only two British players in the WNBA – Temi Fagbenle and Elizabeth Williams, who play for the Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky respectively,<\/p>\n
That is despite basketball currently being the second-most popular team sport in the UK, with one-and-a-half million participants on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n