The National Basketball Association (NBA), New York, and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), have announced that the NBA’s first game in Africa will be held Aug. 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa, at Ellis Park Arena.
“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,” says 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.”
The game’s format will feature Team Africa vs. Team World, and will be played in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. NBPA President Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers will serve as Team World’s captain and 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,” Deng says. “Coming from South Sudan and having participated in the Basketball without Borders Africa camps in Johannesburg previously, I am truly honored to be part of this historic event.”
Full rosters of players and coaches, along with ticket information, will be announced at a later date.
For more information, visit NBA.com/Africa. — J.B.