The NBA will be bringing in some big names and great players for their second annual Africa game. Here is how to watch the game and some of the names involved.
It’s one of the best events of the summer, the annual NBA Africa game. According to NBA.com:
"NBA Africa Game 2017, which will take place following the 15th edition of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Africa, will once again feature a Team Africa vs. Team World format and will be played in support of UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA)."
Rosters for the game feature a mix of stars, young prospects and have a well-represented group of players either from Africa or born to African parents.
Team Africa Roster (NBA.com)
- Luol Deng (L.A. Lakers) – Captain
- Thabo Sefolosha (former Atlanta Hawk) – Captain
- Bismack Biyombo (Orlando Magic)
- Clint Capela (Houston Rockets)
- Gorgui Deng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – will not play
- Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors)
- Luc Mbah a Moute (former L.A. Clipper)
- Salah Mejri (Dallas Mavericks)
- Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets)
- Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)
- Dennis Schroder (Atlanta Hawks)
There is limited guard play here and the bulk of the ball handling duty will be shared between Schroder, Oladipo and Mudiay. The flip side of this is that there are a ton of big-men on Team Africa, even without Embiid playing. Africa has produced two of the best big men in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo. Their legacy is being passed on by current players Ibaka, Capela, Biyombo and Deng. All four are known for shot-blocking and have worked with the two greats.
Team World roster (NBA.com)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) -Captain
- Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets) -Captain
- Leandro Barboza (former Phoenix Sun)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Wilson Chandler (Denver Nuggets)
- DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
- Courtney Lee (New York Knicks)
- Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
- CJ McCollum (Portland Trailblazers)
- Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks)
The world roster will be fun to watch. Lowry and Kemba will split the ball handling duties pairing with McCollum, Lee, Barboza and Brown in the back court. It should be exciting watching the big men of the Africa go up against so many different type of big men for Team World. Nowitzki and Porzingis (recently seen working out together) are the rare big men who aren’t afraid to step out and shoot while Cousins (not afraid to let some triples fly either) and Drummond can be bruisers down low.
The game will also feature a handful of NBA coaches and front office individuals including Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), Alvin Gentry (New Orleans Pelicans), and Mike Malone (Denver Nuggets).
Information on how to watch is below.
Date: August 5, Saturday
Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
Where: Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg, South Africa
Coverage: ESPN 2
Stream: WatchESPN
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This game is obviously about more than just who wins and who loses. Basketball Without Borders has been a success piece of the NBA off-season for quite a while. The NBA is doing their best to bring the game to a global level and succeeding.