Jerry Johnson is a Graduate of Rider University & a former professional basketball player in Europe (2005-2018) & Hall of Famer. He is currently Director of Athletics at La Academia Charter School & CEO/Founder of iUNGO World platform.
Ghana hits me differently than any place, and I've been to a lot of places as a hoop nomad. It wasn't just the Accra sun, though; trust me, that heat (and humidity) is no joke. The warmth of the people, the colors, the food, the atmosphere. It's surreal, honestly. It almost seems impossible. But this second trip was something else, something deeper. I realized I was on the verge of locking in on something I'd considered but didn't really understand until I was on the way back.
My trip had been so packed from the time I landed that I had not realized the connection of myself, a Black man, reaching back to the continent of my ancestors for something other than taking its people or its resources. I had something to be part of our long, ongoing reconnection
process.
Growing up in Lancaster, basketball was my world. I had a college and pro career, which took me all over. But it wasn't until that moment in leaving Accra, getting on that plane, that I truly understood the power of a basketball, those eight pounds of pressure encased in leather. I thought about it on that long flight back: 'A basketball had brought me here.'
The recent passing of Dikembe Mutombo really drives this point home. Here was a man who didn't just dominate and comically wag his finger at elite NBA scorers on the court on every block. No, he used the game to elevate his platform to create real change in the Congo—hospitals, schools, and community programs. He did it all in such a short span of time. It made me think about the legacy we're all part of and the responsibility we have to carry it forward.
For me, that's what iUNGO World is all about at its core. We're picking up where pioneers like Mutombo left off—and where Luol Deng continues the fight in South Sudan—but with a digital twist. My wish, or desire, with this particular mission with next year’s basketball tournament, is not just creating opportunities, though that would be enough.
We're not just building an app or organizing tournaments, though. We're part of a movement to heal historical wounds, reconnect a diaspora, and show that engagement with Africa can be about so much more than financial gain. It's about coming home and making a home—in every sense of the word.
The connection between African and African-American athletes is timeworn and isn't new by any means. Believe me when I say that I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here. Going back to the days of Muhammad Ali visiting Ghana in the 1960s to the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program, I know I'm crossing over and fortifying long-standing building bridges that were already built across the Atlantic for decades.
The late, great Dikembe Mutombo's legacy looms large in this history. His improbable journey from Kinshasa to Georgetown to the NBA Hall of Fame wasn't just about blocking shots and giving out his hilarious signature finger wags ("No, no, no!") to would-be NBA scorers. No, the big man used his platform to make real, lasting change to be admired and studied by all,
establishing a foundation that built a hospital in his hometown. Understanding the impact of his work in Congo reminds me of what's possible for iUNGO World.
We've seen other stars like Serena Williams and LeBron James engage with Africa, supporting education and development projects. But it's not just about Americans giving back. African athletes like former college/NBA star Luol Deng (who currently leads South Sudan's basketball program) and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nigeria/Greece) have continued the change in perceptions on what can be made real. And again, all of this through a child's game, a ball through a hoop. Standing on African soil, I felt the weight of this legacy.
I don't want this whole thing to be about enforcing our American basketball culture on Africa. I don't want any part of colonization, anything for the sake of a dollar or to push Americanness, so to speak. It's about nurturing a two-directional road of studying and progress, celebrating our shared lineage while respecting our unique journeys. I believe we have a vehicle with which brands and sports manufacturers can see the value in Africa, starting with Ghana, where non-oil GDP growth over the first two quarters of 2024 was 5.6%, according to a recent Ministry of Finance report.
Our approach is multidimensional. iUNGO World will have virtual spaces for athletes to socialize, share coaching hints, and gain knowledge about each other's cultures. We want to elevate the stories of the local mentors generating change and connect with the already-present grassroots organizations transforming lives through sports. On the other end, we are exploring opportunities for rights partnerships that could be collaborative and help funnel resources directly to the ground floor.
Next year's iUNGO World basketball event isn't just another tournament. We're designing the programming to (hopefully) be a highly transformative experience for the players, coaches, and everyone involved. Beyond the actual competition, we're planning cultural workshops, community service projects, and opportunities for players to explore Ghana. For many of the players, it might be their first time in Africa or even outside of their countries. African players won't be the fish out of water for once—the globe will come to them.
But I want to return to my relationship with my African counterparts because it's essential. Sure, I'm the founder and CEO of iUNGO World, and we're starting with basketball, something I know. But personally, I look at this opportunity to continue the legacy of pioneers like Mutombo. Every time I touch down on African soil, I'm privileged to know that I'm not just a visitor or an investor in a venture, and I know I'm doing it with true partners.
As I reflect on our team's journey with iUNGO World, even in our arduous and tiring effort to gather funding, I'm filled with a sense of purpose that goes beyond business.
Read more from Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson, Global Sports Business Enthusiast
Jerry Johnson is a true leader who is immersed in presenting sports opportunities and global sports business. Understanding the power of sports and opportunities is a life changer when used strategically. Johnson has since come back to his hometown to create sports opportunities for high schoolers at La Academia who have never had sports programming in the 20 years of school existence until . He is CEO/Founder of iUNGO World “The Evolution of Sports Social Media” platform.
