Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin, UConn's Aaliyah Edwards among NBA Academy alums in 2022 NCAA Tournament

Gilbert McGregor

Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin, UConn's Aaliyah Edwards among NBA Academy alums in 2022 NCAA Tournament image

Over the last few decades, the NBA has had an immeasurable impact on global interest in the game of basketball.

In recent years, the league has increased its impact, even more, moulding the next generation of basketball players at NBA Academies, which provide year-round basketball development for the top high school-age prospects from outside the United States.

As part of a continuously growing initiative, there are now academies in Australia, India, Mexico and Senegal, developing top prospects from their respective countries and continents.

MORE: From Montreal to Mexico –The NBA Academy Latin America continues the globalization of the game

The last 12 months have been major for the NBA Academy. In April, Baylor's Jonathan Tchatchoua became a national champion and in June, Thunder guard Josh Giddey became the first alum to be selected in the NBA Draft, going sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Giddey was joined by Dyson Daniels, another Academy alum, at 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend.

With March Madness upon us, over 20 athletes that either attended an NBA Academy or an NBA Academy event will take part in the Men's and Women's Division I Basketball Tournament.

MORE: The NBA Academy Women's program continues to develop the next generation virtually

From Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi (Monevideo, Uruguay) to UConn's Aaliyah Edwards (Kingston, Ontario, Canada) and Louisville's Merrissah Russell (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), get familiar with the NBA Academy alums looking to make their mark in March.

Men's NBA Academy alumni at March Madness

Player School Hometown Academy
Oumar Ballo Arizona Koulikoro, Mali NBA Academy Latin America
Aziz Bandaogo Akron Joal-Fadiouth, Senegal NBA Academy Africa
Alex Ducas Saint Mary's Geraldton, West Australia, Australia NBA Global Academy
Francisco Farabello TCU Cañada de Gómez, Argentina NBA Global Academy
Hyunjung Lee Davidson Yongin City, South Korea NBA Global Academy
Bennedict Mathurin Arizona Montreal, Quebec, Canada NBA Academy Latin America
Jonathan Tchatchoua Baylor Douala, Cameroon NBA Global Academy
Santiago Vescovi Tennessee Montevideo, Uruguay NBA Global Academy; NBA Academy Latin America

Women's NBA Academy alumni at March Madness

Player School Hometown Academy
Georgia Amoore Virginia Tech Ballarat, Victoria, Australia NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Anna Gret Asi Arizona Tartu, Estonia NBA Academy Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Kamilla Cardoso South Carolina Montes Claros, Brazil NBA Academies Women’s Program in Mexico; Brazil
Emma Chardon Maryland Geneva, Switzerland NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Aaliyah Edwards UConn Kingston, Ontario, Canada NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Yvonne Ejim Gonzaga Calgary, Alberta, Canada NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Kobe King-Hawea Texas Point Cook, Victoria, Australia NBA Global Academy (Women’s)
Nika Muhl UConn Zagreb, Croatia NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Ruby Porter Nebraska Adelaide, South Australia, Australia NBA Academies Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Merissah Russell Louisville Ottawa, Ontario, Canada NBA Academy Women’s Program at Next Gen 2019
Mariana Valenzuela Florida State Matazlán, Mexico NBA Academies Women’s Program in Mexico

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.