The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that the NBA’s first game in Africa will take place Saturday, 01 August 2015 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. The announcement was made at a press conference in Johannesburg by NBA Africa Vice President and Managing Director Amadou Gallo Fall, Hon. Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick S. Gaspard.
NBA Africa Game 2015 in Johannesburg to Feature Team Africa vs. Team World Format
The game will feature a Team Africa vs. Team World format 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. 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.
“We are excited that the NBA is going to be hosting its first game on the continent in South Africa,” said Hon. Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula. “This is a major event in our sports calendar this year and I look forward to welcoming NBA current and former players, coaches and team personnel to Johannesburg.”
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.
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 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.
