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.
Thankful for all the journeys basketball has taken me. Impactful trip. #ChangingLives #BWBAfrica #ALLFORTHEGAME pic.twitter.com/52wFgzG7Rs
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 1, 2015
The Manimal clearly cherished being part of #BWBAfrica.
Watch him play in the #NBAAfricaGame tomorrow at 7am MST! pic.twitter.com/OvJ9XGqI7h
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 1, 2015
Great time at #SOSChildrensVillage ? pic.twitter.com/OuGeU8ONya
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) July 31, 2015
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:
| Team Africa | Country |
|---|---|
| Luol Deng | Sudan |
| Bismack Biyombo | Congo |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Nigeria |
| Festus Ezeli | Nigeria |
| Nicolas Batum | Cameroon |
| Luc Richard Mbah a Moute | Cameroon |
| Boris Diaw | Senegal |
| Gorgui Dieng | Senegal |
| Al-Farouq Aminu | Nigeria |
Team Africa ! #NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/y0tFTfRGTv
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) July 31, 2015
| Team World | Country |
|---|---|
| Chris Paul | USA |
| Pau Gasol | Spain |
| Marc Gasol | Spain |
| Jeff Green | USA |
| Bradley Beal | USA |
| Kenneth Faried | USA |
| Marcus Smart | USA |
| Evan Turner | USA |
| Nikola Vucevic | Montenegro |
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.
Masai Ujiri very proud as he's honoured today at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory for his work w/ @GiantsOfAfrica pic.twitter.com/BC3JswWfdC
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 1, 2015
The jerseys of African legends Manute Bol, @DR34M & @officialmutombo hang above the first ever #NBAAfricaGame! pic.twitter.com/GEdwD3XoTm
— NBA (@NBA) August 1, 2015
Not surprisingly, the turnout for the game is expected to be quite strong, and the game should prove a lot of fun.
.@NBA Fan Zone at Montecasino is now open! #NBAAfricaGame #NBAFordAfrica pic.twitter.com/pQK6dQN8xd
— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) August 1, 2015
Excited fans already out here at the Arena ready to see #TeamAFRICA take on #TeamWorld in the #NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/DWBIrb3Dvn
— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) August 1, 2015