NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the formation of The NBA Academies Advisory Committee to help guide the strategy behind NBA Academies, the league’s network of elite basketball training centers around the world to develop top prospects from outside the United States.  The committee consists of 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Azzi (U.S.), former NBA head coach and 1992 “Dream Team” assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo (U.S.), former NBA player Adonal Foyle (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches Patrick Hunt (Australia), two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash (Canada) and 2012 NBA Champion Ronny Turiaf (France).

Each member will have a specialized role on the committee working across the NBA’s elite basketball training centers.  Azzi will serve as the global technical director for women’s programming; Carlesimo will help identify, recruit and train coaches with NBA experience; Foyle will lead the life skills and off-court curriculum development; Hunt will help identify, recruit and train international coaches; Nash will oversee all aspects of player development; and Turiaf will serve as chief recruiter and scout.

“We’re honored to welcome Jennifer, P.J., Adonal, Patrick, Steve and Ronny to the NBA’s Elite Basketball Development team,” said NBA Vice President, International Basketball Operations & Head of Elite Basketball, Brooks Meek.  “They each have had successful careers on and off the court and will bring invaluable experience and insight to our NBA Academies program.”

“I’m really excited to help guide the strategy behind the league’s academies around the world,” said Nash.  “The level of international talent in the NBA is at an all-time high, and these academies will be instrumental in identifying and training the next wave of great international players.”

The formation of The NBA Academies Advisory Committee follows the launch of academies in Canberra, Australia; Hangzhou, Jinan and Urumqi, China; Thies, Senegal; and Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), India.

NBA Academies include educational development for top international male and female prospects and mark the NBA’s most significant investment in elite player development.  The initiative exposes elite prospects to NBA-level coaching, facilities and competition and provides a global framework for elite prospects to maximize their success.