NEW ORLEANS — The NBA will hold its second NBA Africa Game this summer in South Africa, it was announced Saturday.
Team Africa will play Team World at Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg on Aug. 5, the NBA and the NBPA confirmed.
“Basketball is witnessing explosive growth in Africa,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Our return to Johannesburg this summer is part of the league’s continued commitment to bring the authentic NBA experience to fans around the world. I would like to thank the NBPA for their participation and for being terrific partners on this game and surrounding events.”
The game will be played after the 15th Basketball without Borders Africa and will benefit UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA).
Team Africa will be comprised of players from Africa, including Orlando center Bismack Biyombo and Denver point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Team World, with players from the rest of the world on the roster, will include Portland’s C.J. McCollum — last season’s Most Improved Player.
The first NBA Africa Game was played in 2015 in Johannesburg before a sellout crowd.
“NBA players are among the most popular athletes in the world, and we’re excited to continue the game’s global growth with this second game in Africa,” NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said in a statement. “Our players remain committed to growing the game on the continent, and this showcase will continue to build on the positive momentum we generated with the historic first game in 2015.”
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