Nexford University partners with Nairobi City Thunder to grow local talent

In a groundbreaking partnership, Nexford University, an American-accredited online institution, has joined forces with Nairobi City Thunder, one of Kenya’s top basketball clubs, to empower local players through education and personal development.

Through the collaboration, Nexford University will offer academic sponsorships and study opportunities abroad to Thunder players, helping them build successful careers both on and off the court. The initiative aims to blend athletic excellence with world-class education, ensuring that athletes are equipped for life beyond sports.

Speaking during the announcement, Colin Rasmussen, CEO of Nairobi City Thunder, said the partnership represents a new chapter for Kenyan basketball and athlete development.

“We are very proud to announce this partnership because we know what it means for African basketball, and for the sport as a whole,” said Rasmussen.

“We are enabling our players both on the basketball court and beyond it. Through this partnership, we’re excited to redefine what it means to be an athlete. We are also deeply conscious of life during and after sport.”

Fadl Al Tarzi, CEO of Nexford University, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the university’s mission to make higher education accessible, flexible, and globally relevant.

“We plan to enroll most of the Nairobi Thunder team members in our graduate and undergraduate programs,” said Al Tarzi. “We’re confident that within a few years, we’ll see these numbers grow significantly giving athletes the tools they need for lifelong success.”

Both organizations reaffirmed that the partnership will nurture local talent, enhance global exposure, and open new pathways for African athletes.

Beyond basketball, it sets a model for how education and sport can work together to drive the holistic growth of young people, ensuring Kenya’s rising stars shine both academically and athletically.