The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that the NBA Africa Game will be played in Johannesburg, South Africa on 5th August during the annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon in New Orleans.
The announcement was made by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts and NBA vice-president and managing director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Basketball is witnessing explosive growth in Africa. Our return to Johannesburg this summer is part of the league’s continued commitment to bring the authentic NBA experience to fans around the world. I would like to thank the NBPA for their participation and for being terrific partners on this game and surrounding events,”[/perfectpullquote]
Silver said.
The game which will take place at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg will be headlined by Orlando Magic’s Bismack Biyombo, Portland Trail Blazers’ CJ McCollum and Denver Nuggets’ Emmanuel Mudiay.
The 15th edition of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Africa will feature Team Africa versus Team World.
Team Africa will comprise of players from Africa and second-generation African players while Team World will be made up of players from the rest of the world.
Biyombo who was a member of Team Africa in NBA Africa Game 2015 said, “It was an honor and privilege to play in the first NBA game in Africa in 2015. I’m looking forward to another great game in August.”
The game will be played in support of UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA).
Featured photo: Bismack Biyombo (right) is among the headlining NBA stars to play in South Africa. (NBA.com)
