At just 16 years old, Sulayman Jawara, a 6-foot-3 guard from Latrikunda, has become the second basketball player from Hope Academy to represent the Gambia at the FIBA Youth Camp. Known as The Smiling Coast, The Gambia has proudly featured in every edition of the FIBA youth camps.
Jawara, who plays both shooting guard and point guard for SK East, says it’s an incredible honour to represent his country at the 2025 Boys Edition in Egypt.
“It’s a great honour to be picked and represent the Gambia,” he says with pride. “We did trials, and I gave it my best. I was lucky to be selected among the participants. I feel really great we might come from different backgrounds, but we all share the same dream: to one day play in top leagues like the G League or the NBA.”
For Jawara, the camp is more than just basketball.
“I’ve learned a lot. It’s a great opportunity for anyone here. Basketball at the FIBA camp is at a completely different level,” he adds.
A member of the junior national team, Jawara is seen as one of the rising stars leading the next generation of Gambian basketball players. His hard work has not gone unnoticed, he was named SESSDO Youngest Best Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
Finding a Safe Space Through Basketball, Interestingly, Sulayman’s first love wasn’t basketball, it was volleyball.
“At first, the spark wasn’t there,” he admits. “What ignited it was a scrimmage between SK East players and it just clicked for me.”
From that moment, basketball became his safe space. Training daily, he often used the same shoes he wore to school for practice. His dedication paid off when he won bronze at the FIBA Africa Zone II tournament in Senegal. Next, he’ll represent the Gambia in Angola for the 3×3 Basketball Championship this December.
“I’m playing for the U16 team, and it’s been a great experience learning, meeting new people, and competing. I look up to Paul George and Kobe Bryant. I’ve improved a lot in defense, quick decision-making, and communication.”
Jawara is an alumnus of Hope Academy, a centre that gives young people purpose through education and sports.
“Hope Academy has been that place where I can reset,” he reflects. “It’s not always easy, but it feels like a space where I can learn, fail, and improve without judgment. It helps me forget the stress of everything else for a while.”
Building the Future of Gambian Basketball
Badara Jeng, national team coach and Sulayman’s former mentor at Hope Academy, sees Jawara’s progress as a sign of growth for Gambian basketball.
“It’s very promising the way Gambian basketball is developing,” says Coach Jeng. “Our presence at FIBA camps shows that our grassroots foundation is strong. Credit goes to the basketball academies and trainers working tirelessly at that level.”
He adds that Gambia’s rise, especially in 3×3 basketball, is no accident:
“Our ranking is gaining momentum. The last competition brought good results. We’re preparing the future national team once players master the rules and style of 3×3 basketball locally, they’ll be ready for international success. Results are coming our way, and we’ll keep striving.”
Hope Academy President Muhammed Njie: “The Bigger Picture and the Winner is Mother Gambia”
The President of Hope Academy, Muhammed Njie, has expressed his joy and pride in seeing young Gambians gain opportunities through basketball, emphasizing that the ultimate winner is Mother Gambia.
“I am always happy for any Gambian kid who gets the opportunity to attend a FIBA camp or travel to begin their basketball career,” Njie said. “Our vision at Hope Academy is to provide opportunities for young players to give them exposure outside the Gambia so they can experience the game at a higher level.”
Njie highlighted the Academy’s broader mission to use basketball as a tool for youth development, education, and national pride.
“We are hoping to assemble a great team for AfroBasket or even the Olympics in the near future,” he added. “Our goal is to get kids off the streets, engage them in sports, and help them fall in love with basketball. Once that happens, we encourage them to focus on their education. Talent alone won’t take you far you must also be smart. Both go hand in hand.”
Discussing the development of a strong national team, Njie noted the importance of international exposure and technical experience:
“We can’t build a national team with only home-based players. They are talented, but many lack exposure to the technical aspects of the game and the experience of playing abroad. Meeting different coaches and learning various playing styles helps improve decision-making and understanding of the game.”
He believes that participation in programs like the FIBA camps will play a vital role in shaping the next generation of Gambian players.
“These experiences will definitely help us in the future. I hope all the knowledge and skills they gain from these camps will be used to improve themselves and to share with other young players across the country.”
Currently, Hope Academy boasts 10 players actively playing basketball across Spain, the UK, and the United States a testament to the academy’s growing impact.
Njie also commended one of the academy’s standout players, Sulayman, describing him as one of the best shooters in The Gambia.
“Sulayman is among the top three shooters in the country. He works very hard every day to achieve his dream of playing professionally. He understands that his height may be a disadvantage, so he compensates by putting in extra effort.”
Through the dedication of its players and leadership, Hope Academy continues to nurture talent and build a brighter future for Gambian basketball — one opportunity at a time.
