NPA makes American debut in Iowa with first ever session on US soil
This past weekend, the NPA ran its first ever American session in Des Moines, Iowa. Teams from Canada made the trip down to play against US Prep school Iowa United’s two squads. Teams in action were Iowa United Black, Iowa United Orange, London Basketball Academy, and Lincoln Prep.
“This Iowa session was one small step. There is an interest for more collaboration with American and Canadian teams…You can expect to see more in the future.” Said NPH/NPA Founder Tariq Sbiet.
“Whether it’s Canadian teams competing in America, or the other way around, as the WNPA hosted Top-Ranked Faith Family this past week from Texas. We want to provide unique opportunities for our NPH members, & utilize basketball as a global bridge to connect community.”
Here’s a recap of the key moments from this exciting weekend of hoops.
Game 1: Iowa United Black Tops LBA in an Exciting Opener
In the first game of the session, NJIT was in attendance watching 2025 PG Rocco Awad of LBA, who they had on a visit after the session. Rocco’s been one of the top players in all of Canada all season long. It’s great to see his hard work and production rewarded with the attention he’s getting from D1 coaches.
The opening game set the tone for the weekend’s action, with Iowa United Black facing off against London Basketball Academy. The game was highlighted by a strong performance from Iowa United Black’s 2025 guard, JJ Sullivan, who showcased his elite shooting ability. Sullivan’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc helped propel Iowa United Black to a dominant win.
Game 2: LBA Responds with a Win Over Iowa United Orange
After a tough loss to Iowa United Black, London Basketball Academy bounced back in the second game of the session, defeating Iowa United Orange. In this game we saw the NPA debut of University of Iowa commit Navon Shabazz who was coming back from injury and played limited minutes.
Game 3: Lincoln Prep Overcomes Iowa United Orange in Thrilling OT Victory
The third game of the weekend saw Lincoln Prep take on Iowa United Orange in an overtime thriller. This game was one of the most exciting of the weekend, with the scoreline tight throughout regulation. 2025 6’7 forward Eliott Tsegekele put on a masterclass performance, dropping 25 points and making big plays down the stretch. His ability as a two-way player make him a very intriguing prospect.
Game 4: Iowa United Black Defeats Lincoln Prep in the Final Showdown
In the final game of the weekend, Iowa United Black once again proved their dominance, this time defeating Lincoln Prep in a highly anticipated matchup. The game featured standout performances from University of Iowa commit Navon Shabazz and 2025 point guard Kaleel Sutton White, who led the way for Iowa United Black. Shabazz’s leadership on both ends of the floor and Sutton White’s ability to control the game at the point guard position were crucial in securing the victory for Iowa United Black.
2026 7-foot center Arafan Diane rejoined Iowa United Black after participating in the NBA Basketball Without Borders event. Diane’s presence in the paint added a new dimension to Iowa United Black’s already formidable lineup. Additionally, 2025 PG Owen Frayne recorded a triple double for Lincoln, showcasing his all-around game and basketball IQ.
A Memorable Weekend for All Teams
The first-ever NPA American session in Iowa was a major success, with all teams putting on a fantastic display of talent and skill. Each program demonstrated unique strengths that made the weekend unforgettable.
It definitely won’t be the last time the NPA runs an American session. Stay tuned for future updates and developments.
