Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) just announced the launch of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Basketball Clinics in the Caribbean, which will take place in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands August 24 – September 28. The clinics, which will be run by NBA International Basketball Operations staff and focus on player development, will bring together hundreds of players and coaches from across the Caribbean.

Each clinic will bring together the top 40 players ages 16 and under from their respective countries for two-day national training camps. The programme also features one-day clinics in each country for local coaches. As with Digicel’s successful football programme, the Digicel Kickstart Clinics, the best athletes in each country will be selected for the intensive “Elite Camp” programme Sept. 26-28 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The top eight players from the Elite Camp as determined by an NBA coach and legend will have the opportunity to attend an NBA game in the U.S.

“We applaud the NBA and Digicel for launching this initiative in the British Virgin Islands as this will no doubt bring first-class expertise to the Caribbean, making it easier for the players to take their game to the highest level possible,” said Paul Hewlett, Acting Assistant Director of Sport Affairs, British Virgin Islands, where the inaugural clinic tipped off recently.

“Digicel is all about developing aspiring young athletes at the grassroots level, having done so in various sports including cricket and football,” said Tommy Farrell, Commercial Director, Digicel British Virgin Islands. “Over the years, we have developed and maintained partnerships with big name sporting organisations such as Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Sunderland FC and the WICB to name a few. We are delighted to be adding the NBA to that list and supporting the development of basketball.”

“We are excited to partner with Digicel to bring grassroots basketball development to hundreds of young Caribbean players,” said Philippe Moggio, NBA Senior Vice President, Latin America. “Digicel is one of the Caribbean’s leading operators, and they share our vision of growing the sport of basketball in the region and teaching the values of a healthy, active lifestyle.”

The Elite Camp and camper trip to the U.S. to attend an NBA game will be shared with Digicel customers online, digitally and through mobile and will be broadcast on Digicel Sportsmax, which brings NBA fans closer to their favourite teams through its live coverage of the NBA season, which tips off Oct. 27.

In March, Digicel and the NBA announced a multiyear partnership that will deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to more than 30 Caribbean territories through Digicel SportsMax and make Digicel the Official Wireless Partner of the NBA in the region. This partnership also allows Digicel customers to get in on the action through a number of promotions that will be launched across the Caribbean.