Former WNBA Star Sylvia Fowles Attends Inaugural ExxonMobil Jr. NBA League Finals in Luanda

Instituto Medio de Administração Gestão (Boston Celtics) emerged as champions in both the girls’ and boys’ divisions after seven months of competition.

LUANDA, Angola, December 17, 2024/APO Group/ — The first-ever ExxonMobil Jr. NBA League Angola Finals (www.NBA.com) took place on Saturday, December 14, at the Pavilhão Dream Space in Luanda, Angola. Two-time WNBA champion and eight-time All-Star Sylvia Fowles attended the event. Instituto Medio de Administração Gestão (Boston Celtics) secured the inaugural championship titles in both the girls’ and boys’ divisions after seven months of intense competition that began last May.

The league, managed by PanAfricare, launched in May and impacted over 12,000 young people in its debut season. Alongside the basketball tournament, the league featured a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education program for players and students from participating schools. The program culminated in a showcase where students presented their STEM projects and experiments ahead of the Jr. NBA League Finals.

Promoting Education Through Basketball

The STEM initiative offered both theoretical and practical lessons in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Participants explored various educational experiments, focusing on life skills such as teamwork, time management, and self-esteem. They also learned about sports science, including measuring heart rates and understanding the angles and dimensions of a basketball court.

Executive Remarks

Katrina Fisher, ExxonMobil Lead Country Manager for Angola:
“This program has not only promoted the sport of basketball but also integrated STEM sessions for more than 10,000 students across Luanda. These sessions have fostered essential values such as discipline, teamwork, resilience, and competition. These qualities are critical in sports, academics, and life.”

Kita Matungulu, NBA Africa Director of Basketball Operations:
“The first Jr. NBA season demonstrated how basketball can be a powerful tool for education and social change. It has been inspiring to see the engagement from youth and coaches throughout the season. We are grateful to ExxonMobil for their commitment and support, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to positively impact Angola’s youth on and off the court.”