NBC Sports reported that it is not impossible for the league to hold regular-season games in Africa as the league has already explored possibilities in China, Spain and Brazil where pre-season games occurred this year. Even more important than the game itself will be their experience with the campers, the continent and the rest of the attendees. Members of the Dinka tribe, his family moved to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War and later gained granted political asylum in the United Kingdom.
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His father wasn’t much of a basketball fan, he preferred soccer. “Coming from South Sudan and having participated in the Basketball without Borders Africa camps in Johannesburg previously, I am truly honored to be part of this historic event”. Now, he’s in South Africa to play for Team Africa.
“I’m excited about getting into the gym and showing the kids a few things‚” said Paul. “People know I’m French”. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see Giannis play point guard for their squad, which would certainly be fun. “You just hear a lot of people saying “welcome home” and ‘this is the motherland.’ I feel like everybody has a different connection to it—to Africa”.
We feel the global exposure provided by NBA is great for the local development of basketball and would be great if you would be interested in featuring the same in your publication. “My parents are from Africa”, Antetokounmpo said. And after he and his Dallas Mavericks team were eliminated from the playoffs in April by the Houston Rockets, he met his idol for the first time. “And, it means a lot to be there and to play for Africa”. “We’re trying to give them opportunities to play younger”. In addition to native Congolese languages Swahili and Lingala, Bismack also speaks English, Spanish, and French. “My heritage is from here and being able to grow the game here and help kids that probably come from the same place my Dad comes from and my Grandfather came from realize their dreams, it’s incredible”.
The game, which sold out in 19 minutes, will be another boost to the NBA’s outreach.
Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Ezeli graduated high school at 14 and came to the state to pursue a medical degree. Then he kept growing.
Diaw spent time with the school’s first class of students in May. Poorly, at first.
In the following pages, we take a closer look at the players representing Africa at the NBA’s first ever game on the continent.
Paul said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to transfer some NBA knowledge to youngsters – no matter how wide the gulf was between US basketball and the rest of the world.
There’s Paul, an eight-time All Star, who will captain Team World. “Pretty soon, Africa is going to be a contender in basketball”.
Ujiri has made it a personal mission to reach kids through basketball.
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NBA players Joel Embiid, Gorgui Dieng and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute are among former Basketball Without Borders participants.
