Giants of Africa opens 50th court in Lagos, halfway to 100

By AI, Created 8:51 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – Giants of Africa marked the halfway point of its Built Within initiative with the opening of its 50th community basketball court at King’s College Lagos in Nigeria. The milestone underscores Masai Ujiri’s push to use sports infrastructure, clinics and partnerships to expand youth opportunity across Africa.

Why it matters: - Giants of Africa’s Built Within initiative is halfway to its goal of building 100 community basketball courts across Africa. - The 50th court is part of a broader push to use basketball infrastructure to support youth development, community connection and opportunity. - The milestone lands as the program expands into more countries and adds a new phase focused on conflict-affected areas.

What happened: - Giants of Africa opened its 50th Built Within court on May 25, 2026, at King’s College Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria. - The court opening marked the halfway point of the organization’s commitment to build 100 courts across Africa. - Masai Ujiri, founder of Giants of Africa, said reaching court 50 in Lagos was especially meaningful because Nigeria is home and King’s College is an institution he deeply respects. - The court was built through a donation from FORTA Advisors. - The unveiling ceremony included remarks from Ujiri, King’s College Lagos Principal Magaji Zachariah Cheye and Dr. A. Val Odife, president of the King’s College Old Boys Association North America. - Nigerian artists May D, a King’s College alumnus, and Mayorkun performed at the ceremony. - Media personality Ojinika Obiekwe hosted the event.

The details: - After the unveiling, Giants of Africa held a community basketball clinic for 50 boys and girls from King’s College and Queen’s College. - The day before, Giants of Africa hosted a women’s coaching clinic for 50 female coaches at Avi-Cenna International School. - Giants of Africa tied the coaching clinic to its ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment through sport. - King’s College Lagos, founded in 1909, is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious secondary schools and has educated generations of leaders, dignitaries and public servants. - Giants of Africa launched Built Within in September 2021. - The initiative has already built courts in 16 countries across the continent. - Giants of Africa says each court is developed with a unique community and shaped by local culture, hopes and future ambitions. - The organization says the court model is meant to uplift communities, unite youth and create opportunity. - More information

Between the lines: - The Lagos court gives Giants of Africa a symbolic homecoming moment at a high-profile Nigerian school while also signaling that the project now has scale across Africa. - The focus on clinics shows the initiative is not only about construction. It is also about programming around the courts. - The women’s coaching clinic suggests Giants of Africa is pairing facility builds with gender-focused sports development. - Earlier this year, Giants of Africa announced Dribble for Peace, a new Built Within phase aimed at the Sahel region and communities facing conflict, instability and environmental decline. - Dribble for Peace expands the program in Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal and adds Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan and Sudan for the first time.

What’s next: - Giants of Africa is now focused on the remaining 50 courts needed to complete Built Within. - The organization is also moving deeper into the Sahel through Dribble for Peace. - The expansion points to a larger footprint for Giants of Africa in communities that need sports-based development and youth programming.

The bottom line: - Giants of Africa’s 50th court is both a milestone and a signal: the organization’s court-building model has moved from ambition to scale, with half the target still ahead.