The NBA will play its first exhibition game in Africa later this year in an announcement made by the NBA and NBA Africa earlier this morning. The game will be played Aug. 1 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa in a Team Africa vs. Team World Cup format to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Miami Heat forward Luol Deng, who was born in what is now South Sudan, will captain the African team and Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul will captain the world team. Team Africa will be comprised of players from Africa and second generation African players, and Team World will be comprised of players from the rest of the world. The game will air live in Africa on SuperSport. Full rosters to be announced at a later date.
Following from Supersport.com.
Eight-time NBA All-Star and NBPA President Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers will serve as Team World’s captain and two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng of the Miami Heat – born in South Sudan – will serve as Team Africa’s captain.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of the NBA’s first game in Africa,” said Deng. “Coming from South Sudan and having participated in the Basketball without Borders Africa camps in Johannesburg previously, I am truly honoured to be part of this historic event.”
“I look forward to representing Team World in the first NBA game in Africa,” said Paul. “It will be my first visit to the continent, and I cannot wait to contribute to the growth of the game on and off the court.”
“The NBA has worked hard to grow the game of basketball in Africa, and I am excited to take this next step of playing our first game on the continent,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Our players have been tremendous partners in this effort, and all of us look forward to sharing the authentic NBA experience and the values of our game with fans in Africa.”
NBA executives, coaches, general managers and legends will also participate, including: 2014-15 NBA Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets Coach Lionel Hollins, Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King, NBA Global Ambassador and newest member of the Hall of Fame, Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Africa Ambassador Hakeem Olajuwon, San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Boston Celtics Coach Brad Stevens, Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri and New Orleans Pelicans Coach Monty Williams.
The NBA is once again defying all the border restrictions and trying to expand their game to a global stage and rightfully so. Their newest TV deal is expected to reach an unlimited amount of people and the best way to get the game out there is to actually bring the game to people. The temperature on the first of August might be a small cause for concern but the fact that the NBA will bring their game to the African continent with their stars is an amazing thing to do for the community and the nation as a whole.
