Daneesha Provo
Daneesha Provo is a proud African Nova Scotian from North Preston, Nova Scotia. She is the Founder and CEO of the Daneesha Provo Canadian Basketball Academy (DPCBA). As a former member of Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team and professional basketball player, Daneesha has dedicated her post-athletic career to empowering young women through basketball, leadership development, and education. Recently, she secured a partnership with Nike Sports Camp Canada and has been invited to share her story at international platforms and high-profile speaking opportunities. Rooted in faith and community, she also leads a women’s Christian group, fostering sisterhood and spiritual growth.
What has she been up to since her last feature?
Since her last feature, life has been incredibly full and purposeful for Daneesha, rooted in the community that raised her. She’s been pouring her heart into the work that matters most to her. “I’m focused on developing the next generation of young women through basketball and beyond,” she shares. Her primary focus has been on growing the Daneesha Provo Canadian Basketball Academy (DPCBA). “We’re developing girls not just as athletes, but as leaders, scholars, and confident young women,” Daneesha explains. “They understand their worth both on and off the court.” Education and leadership development are at the core of everything they do. “I believe basketball is a vehicle for so much more than the game itself,” she says. “It’s about building character, resilience, and creating pathways to opportunity.” She’s thrilled about the partnership with Nike Sports Camp Canada. “This has allowed us to expand our reach and provide even more resources to the girls we serve,” Daneesha notes. Beyond the academy, she’s had the honour of sharing her story on several platforms. She was a panellist at WNBA All-Star Weekend, participated in the 2025 Mamba Invitational, and joined the Team Canada Homecoming Panel at DMZ Founders Night. “These experiences have been incredible opportunities to connect with different communities and share what we’re building,” she reflects. The accomplishment Daneesha is most proud of is being invited to speak at the Nike Skills Academy in Los Angeles. “This was such a full-circle moment for me,” she reflects, describing what it meant to stand in front of elite young athletes at a Nike facility, sharing her journey, struggles, and hard-earned lessons. For someone who grew up in North Preston, where “opportunities like this felt worlds away,” the invitation carried profound significance. “There weren’t many people who looked like me in these spaces,” she explains. “To now be in a position where I’m not just participating but leading conversations, representing my community, and showing young Black girls that they belong in every room, that’s everything to me.”
The Nike Skills Academy invitation validated the work she’s been building with DPCBA and affirmed something deeper. “It reminded me that my transition from athlete to community leader and mentor isn’t just about my personal evolution; it’s about opening doors and creating visibility for the girls coming up behind me,” Daneesha says. Being able to stand on that stage meant representing North Preston, representing African Nova Scotians, and representing “every young girl who’s been told she’s too much or not enough.” As she puts it, “That’s the kind of impact I’ve always dreamed of making, and it fuels everything I continue to do.” The Daneesha Provo Canadian Basketball Academy has been awarded the 2026 Top Youth Organization Award, recognizing organizations that empower youth to lead, grow, and thrive. On a more personal note, Daneesha recently started a women’s Christian group. “It creates a space for faith, fellowship, and mutual support among women in my community,” she shares. Looking ahead to 2026, she’s excited to be launching a nonprofit organization that will formalize and expand the work she’s already doing. She’s also in the process of writing her first children’s book. “This project is deeply meaningful to me as another way to inspire and reach young people,” Daneesha says. Follow along to stay tuned for what’s next.
