PHOTOS: NBA players prepare for 1st-ever exhibition in Africa

The NBA will play an exhibition game in Africa for the first time ever on Saturday, a meaningful event for the league's global expansion and a potential harbinger for future regular-season action on the continent.

Players arrived in Africa earlier this week, with safaris, a visit to Nelson Mandela's house, basketball camps, and more on the itinerary. By all accounts, players and fans alike are enjoying the experience so far.

The game tips off at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN. It will feature Team Africa and Team World, coached respectively by Gregg Popovic and Lionel Hollins. The rosters are as follows:

Also in attendance, among many others, will be NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NBA global ambassador Dikembe Mutombo, NBA African ambassador Hakeem Olajuwon, and Nigerian-born Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri, one of the most active NBA voices in spreading the game to Africa.

Not surprisingly, the turnout for the game is expected to be quite strong, and the game should prove a lot of fun.