Northwood’s director of basketball aims to inspire learners
The 27-year-old comes with a wealth of experience and also plays for the KZN Marlins Basketball Club.
DOUGLAS Nedab is hoping to use his skills as a mentor and coach on the basketball court to inspire others around him to reach for new heights.
Nedab, known as DJ on the court, was recently named Director of Basketball at Northwood School.
The 27-year-old comes with a wealth of experience and also plays for the KZN Marlins Basketball Club and has worked with the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Washington Wizards ownership group and is currently involved with PeacePlayers International South Africa.
Nedab, who hails from Prince George’s County (PG County), Maryland, in the state of Washington, said he wants to use basketball as a vehicle for change.
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“I’m honoured to be in the position of director here at Northwood, and I hope to do more than just grow the sport of basketball. I want to develop kids holistically, both on and off the court, from the first team to the seventh team. I feel that through playing the game, the youngsters see a sample size of how hard work and determination pay off and lead you, yes on the court, but also in life in general.
“My ultimate goal is to see an indoor basketball facility built in Durban North. The only one that’s accessible to us is UKZN Howard College. I could think of no better space to help boys and girls make those connections utilising basketball as a tool to facilitate life skills and bridge social divides,” he said.
Nedab said his introduction to the game came as soon as he could begin dribbling the ball.
“Where I grew up – in Washington – is seen as the hub of basketball. PG County is seen as producing a significant number of talented basketball players. There’s even a documentary about the area. We had players like Len Bias and Kevin Durant who hail from where I grew up. Like the other youngsters around me, there were many people with aspirations to play in the NBA. For me, the sport of basketball has opened me up to the world and allowed me to learn and grow, both as a player and as a coach and mentor for the youth,” he said.
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