( CNN ) -- As an NBA executive , I 'm always looking for untapped potential . As a proud native of Nigeria , I believe that Africa is one of the world 's greatest resources in that area . From Angola and Tunisia to Senegal and South Sudan , there is so much size and athletic ability across the continent . Some tribes in Sudan and Senegal have an average height of 6-foot-6 , which also happens to be the size of the average NBA player . People in Nigeria , Mali and Congo tend to be very big and physical . We need to build a strategy to go into these regions and cultivate the talent through infrastructure and instruction . Not long ago , soccer in Africa was almost the same way . It was untapped . Kids in Africa start kicking a ball when they are six or seven years old , if not younger . It 's like baseball , basketball and football in America . If you 're talented , people will find you . That 's what happened with soccer . The number of academies has grown rapidly , and people are really into it . As a result , nearly every major soccer team has a lot of African players . Through my experience as a Nigerian player , coach and now NBA executive , I believe basketball can follow a similar path . It starts with building facilities . We need to start investing in outdoor courts and indoor gyms for kids to play . From African Voices : Nigerian NBA boss finding basketball stars . Most kids in Africa do n't start playing basketball until they are 13 or 14 years old . This puts them at a disadvantage because they lack the instincts and must work harder to develop the skills and habits formed at an early age . With a tremendous assist from the NBA , Nike and the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA ) , we have been trying to provide opportunities for the next generation of African basketball players . Every year , we conduct the Giants of Africa camp , sponsored by NestlÃ© Milo and Nike , as well as the NBA Basketball Without Borders Africa elite camp . Nearly 100 campers have gone on to play college basketball in the United States , including Luc Mbah a Moute , who now plays for the Milwaukee Bucks . Mbah a Moute ( Cameroon ) is one of several African success stories . Serge Ibaka ( Democratic Republic of Congo ) is a rising star for the Oklahoma City Thunder , and Luol Deng ( born in Sudan ) was an All-Star last year for the Chicago Bulls . These guys are great examples for young people in Africa . Kids are beginning to see the possibilities because of the exposure of the NBA . It was unfortunate that Hakeem Olajuwon ( Nigeria ) , Dikembe Mutombo ( Congo ) and Manute Bol ( Sudan ) -- three African giants -- came in an era before the internet , cable and satellite television . A lot of African kids have heard of these guys , but they do n't know the scope of their accomplishments . Deng , Ibaka and Mbah a Moute are trying to become giants themselves , but they ca n't do it alone . Read related : Team Nigeria gears up for motorsports debut . Through the Sprite clinics and Basketball Without Borders , we 've been to Congo , Guinea , Kenya , Malawi , Nigeria , Rwanda , Tanzania , Senegal , Uganda , Zambia , and Zimbabwe . On a continent with more than a billion people , we still have a lot more ground to cover , and we need help from sponsors in Africa . We need more companies to help build courts and gymnasiums for kids to play . Nestle Milo paid for a world-class floor made in the United States . That 's what we use for my Giants of Africa camp . For years , Nike has generously provided shoes and equipment for the players . That is the kind of support we need from influential investors in Africa . As you can probably tell , the push to develop talent in Africa is personal . I grew up there . I played there . I know how much talent there is . We have to concentrate on building facilities , establishing successful leagues and finding investors to help young players . America gave me the opportunity , but I truly believe Africa is going to be the next big thing . It is going to be prominent in tapping basketball talent . I really hope I 'm alive to see it happen . This much is certain : I will die trying . The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Masai Ujiri .
Africa ` ` the next big thing '' in basketball , says Denver Thunder GM K ##ri . Soccer talent on the continent was also untapped until academies were created . Young Africans need more outdoor courts and indoor ##s , argues Ujiri . Basketball Without Borders and Giants of Africa , are successful but need support .