The fourth edition of the PACE Coaches Clinic and Elite 20 Camp has ended after four days of intensive basketball development activities in Enugu and Lagos.

The programme, organised by Smart Sport Foundation and delivered by Home Court Africa, commenced in Enugu on July 28 and 29 before moving to Lagos for the second leg on August 1 and 2.

The 2026 edition marked the first time the PACE programme was hosted in Enugu, in a move aimed at expanding access to basketball coaching education and player development beyond Nigeria’s traditional basketball centres.

Coaches from Enugu and neighbouring South-East states participated in practical sessions, demonstrations and discussions centred on modern coaching techniques, player development, leadership and the responsibilities involved in nurturing young athletes.

Speaking on the significance of taking the programme to Enugu, a representative of the organisers said: “We believe basketball development should not be concentrated in only a few cities. Taking PACE to Enugu gives coaches and young players in the South-East an opportunity to access knowledge, mentorship and development opportunities that can strengthen the game in the region.”

The response in Enugu, according to the organisers, further demonstrated the demand for structured professional development opportunities within the basketball community.

The Lagos leg attracted the highest attendance recorded at the programme since its inception, highlighting what the organisers described as growing interest in coaching education and player development.

Commenting on the turnout, the organisers said: “The level of participation in Lagos shows that coaches and young athletes are hungry for opportunities to learn, improve and connect with people who can contribute to their development. It is encouraging to see PACE growing with each edition.”

The Lagos edition also featured a visit by Philadelphia 76ers centre Adem Bona, who interacted with the participating coaches and young players and encouraged them in their basketball journey.

International expertise was also incorporated into the programme, with NBA coach Mike Schmitz and professional basketball player Duop Reath joining both camps virtually to share perspectives on coaching and player development.

Alongside the Coaches Clinic was the Elite 20 Camp, which brought together young basketball players for an intensive programme combining training, competition, mentorship and exposure.

The athletes were given opportunities to sharpen their skills on the court while gaining insights into discipline, tactics and the mental approach required to progress in basketball.

The organisers explained that the decision to run the two programmes alongside each other was based on the belief that player development is closely linked to the quality of coaching and the environment in which athletes are nurtured.

“You cannot build strong players without building the environment around them,” the organisers said. “That is why PACE is intentional about investing in coaches as much as we invest in young athletes. The goal is to create a system where talent can be identified, properly developed and given the opportunity to thrive.”

PACE, according to the organisers, therefore focuses not only on developing talented players but also on equipping coaches with the knowledge and tools needed to identify potential and support athletes throughout their development.

Since its launch in 2022, the programme has continued to expand, with the 2026 edition recording its highest registration and extending its reach to a new region through the Enugu leg.

The programme was organised by Smart Sport Foundation in partnership with the Nnaji Family Foundation, while UDWA Sports supported the Elite 20 Camp as the official jersey sponsor for the 2026 edition.

Home Court Africa, the basketball development arm of SWA Sports, handled the execution of the programme, bringing together coaches, athletes, partners and sponsors.

The organisers said the annual initiative remains part of a long-term effort to strengthen Nigeria’s basketball ecosystem by investing in the people responsible for developing the next generation of players.

They also maintained that sport could serve as a platform for education, inclusion and opportunity, particularly for young people.

“PACE is not just about what happens during these four days,”the organisers added. “The real measure of success is what coaches take back to their teams and what young players are able to build from the experience. We want the knowledge, relationships and confidence gained here to continue creating impact long after the camps are over.”

With the conclusion of the Lagos sessions, PACE 2026 has come to an end, but the organisers said the lessons from the programme would continue to impact basketball communities as participating coaches return to their respective teams, schools and academies.

PACE, which stands for Player and Coach Empowerment, is an annual basketball development initiative focused on improving coaching and player development in Nigeria through education, mentorship and international collaboration.

The programme is led by Smart Sport Foundation and delivered by Home Court Africa, an initiative of SWA Sports focused on grassroots basketball development and creating opportunities for African athletes and coaches.