Chiney Ogwumike, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft and two-time WNBA All-Star turned standout WNBA and NBA analyst for ESPN, is the First Female Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ambassador, as announced by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall during the Africa Luncheon at NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
An advocate for gender equity in sports and the sustainable development of basketball, Ogwumike aims to use her role to inspire and empower young girls and women on the continent. She will lead various events and clinics throughout the BAL season, beginning with the Kalahari Conference in Morocco in early April.
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A force for basketball development in Africa, BAL prioritizes providing opportunities for communities across the continent to engage with the sport. With Ogwumike and her advocacy, BAL can expand its reach.
On helping BAL grow the game in a gender-inclusive manner, Ogwumike said:
I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to continue to inspire, uplift, and help grow the game across the continent, especially for young women and girls,. Basketball has given me so much, and now, I get to give back in a way that creates real impact and celebrates my sisters on the continent. The future of basketball in Africa is limitless, and I can’t wait to be part of this journey.
