San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford didn't have to watch his sister Anne's film "Elevate" to know how good the basketball talent in Africa is.
But the film, which has become a favorite on the film festival circuit, is putting that skill level out there on a national stage.
Buford thinks that's great, but he also thinks the film hits on a bigger theme. He wants the focus to be on the importance not only of finding basketball talent, but also giving back to the communities by helping to educate the youth and lend a hand wherever needed.
"I'm not surprised the NBA has become a global game at all," said Buford, one the film's executive producers. "The mission for this talent evaluation is important. I don't think we can be totally selfish and think we can look and find talent when we go over there. We have to be more philanthropic in nature. We have to see what we can bring to them."
The film, which will be released on DVD Tuesday, focuses on four teens from Senegal. Each of them has dreams of making it to the United States and playing in the NBA to help their families. All four of them are scouted by prep coaches from the United States who go to Senegal as part of the SEEDS Academy, a high school boarding program started by former Dallas Mavericks scouting director Amadou Gallo Fall.
Each of the four teens eventually make it to the United States and all four are currently playing college basketball. The film follows their journey from Senegal to the U.S.
It shows the ups and downs of all four, from the two seven-footers who are currently playing for Washington and Virginia to the guard who had visa problems and is now playing in the NAIA.
"The NBA is the hook for the film," said Anne Buford. "That's the thing that makes people take a look at going to Africa. At the end of the day, it's a lot more about guys getting an education. It's not like everyone over there is patting themselves on the back. The coaches do the little things you never see. The only way the players get better is if the coaches teach techniques. I was trying to look for a downside, but things never turn out the way you plan."
The film is more than a passion project for the Bufords. It also hits close to home.
Anne got the idea after her brother took guardianship of Alexis Wangmene, who is from Cameroon and met R.C. Buford at a Basketball Without Borders camp in Cameroon.
Wangmene, who is now a senior playing at Texas, gave Anne Buford the inspiration for the film which took about six years to complete.
"Alexis inspired the whole film," Anne Buford said. "You just can't imagine how much time goes into mentoring these kids. They leave a community-based environment in their country and they are left alone. Everything's different. You're thought of a hard worker in your country and now people are telling you you're lazy here. You can't imagine the adjustment they have to make."
While the film focuses strictly on Senegal, R.C. Buford said there's talent all over the continent of Africa, from Senegal to Congo to Chad to the Ivory Coast to Angola.
R.C. Buford is also protective of the country. He knows high school, college and NBA coaches will look anywhere they can for talent. But he also thinks those who scout in Africa need to see the bigger picture.
"I don't think you can be limited to one mission over there," R.C. Buford said. "There can be multiple agendas. If we're going to reap the benefits of natural resources, we have to be mindful of what we're going. We have to go in there with a development perspective and not be focused on mining the finished product."
