Rosters announced for first NBA game in Africa
First ever NBA Game in Africa
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced early on Thursday, the rosters for the first NBA game to be played in South Africa at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on the 1st of August. The already sold-out NBA Africa game 2015 will be played between Team World and Team Africa.
The game 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. It will air in the US at 9 am Eastern Time and at 3 pm in South Africa on Supersport. The event will feature a host of accomplished NBA stars, executive and coaches taking part, even Commissioner Adam Silver will be present along with NBA Global Games Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo and NBA Africa Ambassador Hakeem Olajuwon.
Team Africa consists of players born in Africa and second generation African Players led by captain, an accomplished NBA star, Luol Deng.
"I am extremely proud to be a part of the NBA's first game in Africa. 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."
With games in China, Mexico and multiple countries in Europe, this is not the first time the NBA is playing a game outside the United States. However, this is the first game to be played in the African continent, which contributes quite a lot of players to the best basketball league in the world (e.g:- Olajuwaun, Mutombo).
Rosters:
Team Africa
Coaches: Gregg Popovich (Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs) and assistant coaches Mike Budenholzer (Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks) and Monty Williams (Assistant Coach, Oklahoma City Thunder). Eric Walters (Washington Wizards) is the team’s athletic trainer.
Players: Luol Deng (Miami Heat; Great Britain; born in South Sudan), Al-Farouq Aminu (Portland Trailblazers; US; parents from Nigeria), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece; parents from Nigeria), Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets; France; parent from Cameroon), Bismack Biyombo (Toronto Raptors; Democratic Republic of Congo), Boris Diaw (San Antonio Spurs; Frace; parent from Senegal), Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves; Senegal), Festus Ezeli (Golden State Warriors; Nigeria), Serge Ibaka ( Oklahoma City Thunder; Congo)* and Luc Mbah a Moute (Sacramento Kings; Cameroon)
*Will not play due to injury.
Management: Billy King (GM Brooklyn Nets) and Masai Uriji (GM Toronto Raptors) are the General Managers of Team Africa.
Team World
Coaches: Lionel Hollins (Head Coach, Brooklyn Nets) and assistant coach Brad Stevens (Head Coach, Boston Celtics)
Players: Captain and NBPA President Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers; US), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards; US), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets; US), Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies; Spain), Pau Gasol (Chicago Bulls; Spain), Jeff Green (Memphis Grizzlies; US), Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics; US), Evan Turner (Boston Celtics; US) and Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic; Montenegro)
Management: R.C. Buford (GM San Antonio Spurs) while Keon Weise (Orlando Magic) is their athletic trainer.