Giants of Africa Hits Halfway Mark With 50th Court Opening in Lagos

King’s College Lagos, Nigeria. Image Courtesy of GOA

Masai Ujiri's non-profit has built basketball courts in 16 African countries since launching its Built Within initiative in 2021.

Giants of Africa marked a landmark moment in African sports development this week, unveiling its 50th community basketball court at King's College Lagos in Nigeria on May 25. The milestone brings the organisation to the halfway point of Built Within, its commitment to constructing 100 courts across the continent.

The choice of venue carried weight. King's College, founded in 1909, is one of Nigeria's most prestigious secondary schools and has produced leaders, dignitaries, and public servants across generations. For Giants of Africa founder Masai Ujiri, a Nigerian himself, it was a homecoming of sorts.

"Nigeria is home and King's College is an institution I deeply respect," said Ujiri, who also serves as President and Alternate Governor of the Dallas Mavericks and a UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. "This milestone belongs to all of the communities across Africa who've welcomed us, the partners who have walked this journey with us and the young people who will use these courts to grow, lead and discover their potential."

The unveiling ceremony featured live performances from Nigerian artists May D - a King's College alumnus and Mayorkun, with media personality Ojinika Obiekwe hosting. The court was funded through a donation from FORTA Advisors.

The weekend doubled as a grassroots activation. A community basketball clinic for boys and girls from King's College and Queen's College followed the opening, while the day prior saw 50 female coaches take part in a dedicated women's coaching clinic at Avi-Cenna International School - reinforcing the organisation's push for gender equity in African sport.

Since launching the Built Within Initiative in September 2021, Giants of Africa has established courts across 16 countries. Each facility is developed in partnership with its host community, designed to reflect local culture and long-term aspirations rather than serve as a one-size-fits-all infrastructure drop.

According to multiple reports, the second half of the initiative will go further. Earlier this year, Giants of Africa announced Dribble for Peace, an expansion of Built Within into the Sahel region, targeting communities affected by conflict, instability, and climate stress. The programme builds on existing footholds in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal while breaking new ground in Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan, and Sudan.