NBA celebrates Nigerian culture at Art X

As part of the lineup for the popular art exhibition Art X Lagos, the National Basketball Association launched an initiative, NBA Meets Art, to celebrate art through the lens of basketball. The showcase took place from October 31 to November 3, 2024.

In a virtual media briefing, the Vice President of NBA Africa and Country Head for NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, highlighted the project’s significance.

“This year’s collaboration is particularly important because Art X provides a unique opportunity to connect with fans from all backgrounds. The NBA strives to be accessible to everyone—regardless of age or social class. Nigeria stands as a cultural leader in Africa, and this collaboration reflects that,” Abudu stated.

Abudu also praised the works of Williams Chechet, a Nigerian artist whose piece Breaking Barriers was featured at the exhibition, saying, “Working with him has been incredible. I admire how he interprets basketball, particularly his insights on teamwork. Chechet, who is from Kaduna, has a genuine connection to basketball, having fallen in love with the game while playing in Zaria.”

On his part, Chechet expressed his enthusiasm for the project, acknowledging its impact, he said, “I was thrilled to be approached for this collaboration. The NBA is making significant strides, and I am excited to contribute. Breaking Barriers uses basketball’s dynamics—goal setting, strategy, movement—as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing struggle for social change.”

Additionally, Abudu highlighted the success of a recent Demo Day, part of their tech initiative, which showcased Nigerian start-ups.

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