NBA Africa Game 2017, which will take place Saturday, August 5 at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa, the second game in the NBA Africa series. Back in 2015, we saw Chris Paul, Pau Gasol, Bradley Beal headline the rosters with some surprise in-game appearances from Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo. For the upcoming installment later this summer, we’ll have another NBA legend take the court as a captain.
Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, Charlotte Hornets big man Bismack Biyombo and Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay were announced as participants back in February. They will be joined by four more current players, two captains for each team.
Following was announced by the NBA earlier today.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today that Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks; Germany), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets; U.S.), Thabo Sefolosha (Atlanta Hawks; Switzerland; parent from South Africa) and Luol Deng (Los Angeles Lakers; South Sudan) will serve as team captains for NBA Africa Game 2017.
Tickets for the NBA’s second game in Africa taking place Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa will be available for fans Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 am CAT by visiting ticketpro.co.za.
Nowitzki, a 13-time NBA All-Star and 2011 NBA Champion, along with Walker, a 2017 NBA All-Star, will co-captain Team World. Deng, a two-time NBA All-Star and Team Africa captain at NBA Africa Game 2015, and Sefolosha, an 11-year NBA veteran whose father was born in South Africa, will lead Team Africa.
NBA Africa Game 2017, which will take place following the 15th edition of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Africa, will once again feature a Team Africa vs. Team World format and will be played in support of UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA). The game will air live in sub-Saharan Africa on Kwesé’s TV, Internet and mobile platforms, including Kwesé Free Sports, Kwesé Sports, select free-to-air channels, Kwesesports.com, and the Kwesé app.
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki: “I’m really excited to represent Team World in the second NBA Africa Game this summer. I also look forward to returning to South Africa after taking part in the Basketball without Borders Africa camp eight years ago. It’s great to see how the game is growing across the continent, and I’m honored to be a part of this historic event.”
Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker: “I can’t wait to make my first trip to Africa and join Dirk in leading Team World. Playing in an NBA game in Africa will be a special moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Thabo Sefolosha: “Having South African roots, it’s a dream come true to return to South Africa to play in an NBA game. There are so many talented African players in the league, and it will be an honor to lead them on August 5 in Johannesburg.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng: “I’m thrilled to be coming back to Johannesburg to lead Team Africa alongside Thabo. The first NBA Africa Game in 2015 was a lot of fun, and it will be a privilege to play in front of our African fans once again.”
