Elliot imparts top tier coaches with crucial skills in Africa

    As the level of basketball in Africa continues to rise, with an increase in talent and competitive opportunities, teams have sought quality coaches far and wide. This is why initiatives that empower the best tacticians in each federation are necessary.

    ABIDJAN (Côte d'Ivoire) - Over 50 coaches from the top three divisions of the Ivorian basketball league joined their peers from teams competing in the 2025 Women's AfroBasket in Abidjan for an elite training program led by Jamelle Elliott, the eight-time NCAA championship-winning coach.

    Coaches from Egypt, Mali, Mozambique, Guinea, Senegal, South Sudan, and the host country attended the coaching clinic.

    The event was part of FIBA Africa's development program and was designed to hone the managers' tactical skills. Most admitted that it had been an eye-opening event that will help them reach new heights as they navigate the demanding terrain of African basketball.

    "I have really enjoyed visiting this country and experiencing the culture and the people. I am a big believer in helping grow the game of basketball all over the world and I looked at this as an opportunity to come here and bless the players and coaches with the things that I have been blessed with in America," said Coach Elliott, who was invited by FIBA Africa to run the program in this year's edition.. 

    Elliott, the former head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats women's basketball team who returned to her alma mater, the University of Connecticut Huskies, as an assistant coach in 2018 and led the team to an NCAA victory in 2025, admits that African players have the physical attributes necessary for the game.

    To build on that, African coaches need to focus on fundamental basketball skills like passing, catching, and finishing at all levels without considering them elementary. 

    "Such initiatives, in conjunction with the NBA, have done a good job of putting resources into youth basketball in Africa and this is another step in empowering their coaches. We have come a long way but we still have some distance to go as far as supporting the available talent in the continent and helping them become the best in the world goes. 

    "Hopefully, in the next edition we can get more coaches to come here and share some of our knowledge of the game with the players and coaches. In return, we are also learning from such initiatives. The goal is to get more people involved so we can continue growing the game," she continued. 

    Meanwhile, former Women's AfroBasket player from Mali, who has since transitioned to coaching Aissata Maiga who was part of the clinic thanked FIBA for the opportunity saying: "We had a great opportunity to learn things we were probably aware of but with much more details. It was a good thing for us to see how Elliot incorporated small drills to help in transition. It was eye opening. It is also an opportunity to network with other coaches and enrich our knowledge." 

    As a young tactician, Maiga says learning from such an accomplished female tactician was also motivating as she looks to navigate the male-dominated coaching landscape both in Mali and around the continent. 

    Her sentiments were echoes by Charles Ahouanye, head coach of Ivorian Division Two side CEB ESPOIRS who says Elliotts' breakdown of transition offense and defense drills will greatly influence his coaching style going forward. 

    FIBA