DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — June 9th, 2026 — Durban United Basketball Club is proud to announce Shawn Carrier Jr. as the Associate Head Coach of the Men’s Program, adding a proven leader, championship-winning player, and experienced basketball mind to the club’s growing international staff.

Carrier Jr. steps into his new role as Durban United prepares to launch its one-year international college and professional development academy in January 2027. The program is designed for men and women ages 18–23 and will provide athletes with elite training, competitive games, college exposure, domestic opportunities, international travel, game film, highlight video support, NIL education, player marketing, and participation in the National Basketball League-Africa.

As Associate Head Coach of the men’s program, Carrier Jr. will help lead player development, team culture, practice preparation, game strategy, athlete accountability, and the overall competitive standard for Durban United’s men’s team. His appointment is another major step in positioning Durban United Basketball Club for continued growth on a global stage.

Carrier Jr. brings a strong basketball background to Durban United. He attended Southern University and went on to play seven years in the National Basketball League-United States, gaining valuable experience as a player, teammate, competitor, and leader. His playing career included winning a championship in 2025 with the Gueydan Flying Ducks, giving him firsthand experience in what it takes to build, compete, and win inside a serious basketball environment.

“Shawn Carrier Jr. is exactly the type of leader we want helping build the foundation of Durban United Basketball Club,” said Kevin Williams Sr., President of Basketball Operations for Durban United Basketball Club. “I had the opportunity to work with Shawn in the NBL-United States, and I saw his leadership qualities, his professionalism, his basketball IQ, and the way he carries himself around players and staff. He understands winning, he understands development, and he understands how to connect with athletes. I believe he is ready for this opportunity, and I believe he will play a major role in helping us lead this international basketball club the right way.”

Williams added that Carrier Jr.’s experience in the NBL-US gives him a unique understanding of the Durban United model.

“Durban United is not a traditional academy,” Williams said. “We are building a college and professional development program that requires leadership, structure, discipline, and real basketball experience. Shawn has competed in our league, won in our league, and understands the level of accountability needed to help athletes grow. His journey from player to coach is important because he can speak directly to young men who are trying to use basketball to create opportunities for themselves.”

For Carrier Jr., the opportunity represents a major career milestone and a chance to help build something historic in South Africa.

“Coming from Church Point, Louisiana, and now having the opportunity to coach in South Africa is a blessing and something I do not take lightly,” said Shawn Carrier Jr. “I am extremely excited to work with Kevin Williams Sr. and Durban United Basketball Club. Kevin has always been someone who creates opportunities for players and coaches, and I am grateful that he believes in me to help lead this men’s program. Durban United is building something special, and I am ready to bring energy, leadership, discipline, and a winning mindset to this opportunity.”

Carrier Jr. said he is looking forward to helping athletes understand what it takes to compete at the next level.

“This program is about more than basketball,” Carrier Jr. added. “It is about development, growth, exposure, maturity, and preparing young men for opportunities in college basketball, domestic basketball, international basketball, and life. I know what it means to compete, to sacrifice, and to be part of a championship culture. I want to help Durban United athletes become better players, better teammates, and better leaders.”

Durban United Basketball Club is being built as South Africa’s first international college and professional development basketball academy. The club will provide a one-year development platform for men’s and women’s post-grad basketball players ages 18–23, giving athletes the opportunity to train in Durban, compete in South Africa, participate in NBL-Africa, and pursue college, domestic, and international basketball opportunities.

The men’s and women’s teams are expected to play a competitive schedule that may include games against colleges, universities, club teams, post-grad programs, domestic opponents, international competition, and NBL-Africa member clubs. The program is designed to give athletes consistent competition, usable game film, highlight video support, player promotion, and exposure that can help them pursue future basketball opportunities.

Carrier Jr.’s role as Associate Head Coach will include supporting the head coach with practice planning, player development, game preparation, team culture, scouting, leadership development, film review, player accountability, and the day-to-day growth of the men’s program. He will also help athletes understand the standards required to compete at the college, professional, and international levels.

Durban United Basketball Club believes Carrier Jr.’s background as a seven-year NBL-United States player, and championship winner makes him a strong fit for the club’s mission.

“Shawn knows what it means to work, compete, and win,” Williams said. “He also knows what it means to represent something bigger than yourself. That is the type of leadership our athletes need. We are excited to welcome him to Durban United and confident that he will help us build a strong foundation for the men’s program.”

Carrier Jr. joins Durban United at a pivotal time as the club continues building its leadership team, coaching staff, academy structure, player development model, and global basketball platform ahead of the January 2027 launch.

Durban United Basketball Club will continue announcing staff updates, player opportunities, program details, recruiting information, and academy developments leading into the official start of the program.

For more information, visit durbanunitedbc.com and follow Durban United Basketball Club on social media:

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About Durban United Basketball Club

Durban United Basketball Club is an international college and professional development basketball academy based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The club is designed for men’s and women’s post-grad basketball players ages 18–23 who are seeking college opportunities, domestic basketball opportunities, international exposure, and professional development.

Beginning in January 2027, Durban United Basketball Club will offer a one-year academy program that includes elite-level coaching, competitive games, housing, meals, flights, game film, highlight video support, player marketing, NIL education, campus visit opportunities, and participation in the National Basketball League-Africa.

Durban United Basketball Club is committed to creating a new basketball pathway that connects athlete development, global competition, college exposure, international travel, leadership, and professional preparation.

Durban United Basketball Club
Develop in Durban. Compete in Africa. Prepare for the World.
Website: durbanunitedbc.com
Instagram: DurbanUnitedBC
X: DurbanUnitedBC
Facebook: DurbanUnitedBC