It’s back! The NBA Africa Game 2018 returns to South Africa, this time at the Sun Arena in Time Square, Pretoria on August 4 (5pm start).
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) made the announcement on Thursday evening SA time by NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall.
“Hosting the NBA Africa Game for the third time in four years is a testament to our commitment to growing the game in Africa,” Gallo Fall said.
“We look forward to working with the NBPA once again and all our partners to bring the authentic NBA experience to our fans in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
“This game and the community events in the week leading up to it will further build on our efforts to use the transformative power of the game of basketball to foster positive social change.”
It’s going to be Team Africa against Team World, and the likes of NBA stars Joel Embiid, Al-Farouq Aminu, Bismack Biyombo, Cheick Diallo, Evan Fournier, Serge Ibaka, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Pascal Siakam will turn out for Team Africa.
Joel Embiid will be part of Team Africa. Photo: NBAE/Getty Images
They will come up against a strong Team World line-up that will include DeMar DeRozan, Harrison Barnes, Danilo Gallinari, Rudy Gay, Khris Middleton and Hassan Whiteside.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said: “I was fortunate to participate in Basketball Without Borders Africa first as a camper, and then last year as a coach. To play in the NBA’s third game in Africa is truly special to me, and I can’t wait to take the floor in front of our fans in Africa.”
The NBA Africa Game will be played in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation to honour Madiba’s centenary celebrations, and it will follow the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa programme.
DeMar DeRozan will be part of Team World. Photo: NBAE/Getty Images
Tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 15 at Computicket.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his excitement of being part of the Mandela centenary celebrations.
“We are deeply honoured to be a part of the centennial celebration of President Mandela’s birthday.
“Our third NBA Africa Game and 16th Basketball Without Borders Africa camp will embody one of the most enduring parts of his legacy, which is the belief that sports have the power to inspire and change the world.”