Jalen Suggs to Coach Inaugural Basketball Without Borders Camp in Istanbul
Former Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs will head the first men’s Basketball Without Borders ‘Next Up’ camp in Istanbul, Turkey, from August 26 to 29, marking the 25th anniversary of the NBA‑FIBA initiative.
The four‑day program will bring together 80 of the world’s top high‑school prospects for athletic testing, skill drills, 3‑on‑3 and 5‑on‑5 games, and life‑skills seminars overseen by NBA and FIBA officials.
Suggs previously lent his expertise to a BWB camp in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2023, gaining experience that he now brings to the Turkish capital.
Turkey’s Basketball Legacy and Leadership
Turkey has hosted BWB camps in Istanbul in 2002 and 2008, and the upcoming event will be held at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, a venue championed by Turkish Basketball Federation President Hedo Turkoglu, a former Orlando Magic player.
The inaugural Women’s BWB ‘Next Up’ camp is slated for the fall, with standout participants earning invitations to NBA and WNBA All‑Star festivities.
Since its inception in 2001, BWB has engaged more than 4,900 athletes, 155 of whom have progressed to NBA or WNBA rosters, including stars such as Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Deni Avdija and Jamal Murray.
The program’s mission remains to cultivate global talent through rigorous testing, skill development and cultural exchange, a vision supported by partners like the NBA, FIBA and national federations.