Building champions in basketball, education, and character — on and off the court.
At Freetown Jazz Academy, our mission is to empower young people in Sierra Leone through basketball, education, and community development. We provide high-quality coaching, mentorship, and life-skills training that nurture discipline, teamwork, and leadership both on and off the court.
Through sport, we create opportunities for growth, open pathways to education and careers, and inspire the next generation to become champions in character, academics, and service to their communities.
Our vision is to see basketball become a driving force for positive change in Sierra Leone — creating opportunities for youth to thrive in sport, education, and life.
We aspire to build a strong basketball culture that produces world-class athletes, empowers girls and boys equally, and unites communities through teamwork and excellence.
Freetown Jazz Academy was founded with the goal of using basketball as a tool to inspire, educate, and empower young people in Sierra Leone. What began as a small initiative has grown into one of the country’s leading basketball programs.
Under the leadership of Coach Riski James, the academy now fields teams in the National League — Division 1, Division 2, and a competitive Women’s Team, demonstrating our commitment to equal opportunity.
In October 2024, Freetown Jazz Academy made history by hosting the first international basketball game in Sierra Leone, welcoming D-Rockas Basketball Club Girls from Liberia. This landmark event highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing presence in international basketball.
Riski James is the visionary founder of Freetown Jazz Academy. Passionate about youth development, he uses basketball to build discipline, teamwork, leadership, and opportunity for young people.
Through his leadership, the academy continues to shape athletes who succeed not only in sport, but in education and life.
These values define the culture of Freetown Jazz Academy and shape every player into a champion in sport and in life.