The camp that brings together 60 of the top young players 18 and under from across Africa, is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program and community outreach program.
Co-hosted at the King Edward VII School and St. John’s College in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 29 – September 1.
The 2013 edition of BWB Africa will feature NBA Global Ambassador and NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo and fellow Democratic Republic of Congo native Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte Bobcats); Chicago Bulls teammates Luol Deng (South Sudan) and Joakim Noah; Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Serge Ibaka (Congo), Thabo Sefolosha and Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania) as camp coaches.
NBA Vice President, Development – Africa, Amadou Gallo, said they were excited to be welcoming such a terrific contingent of NBA legends, players and coaches to South Africa for the 11th edition of Basketball without Borders Africa.
According to him, the programme would enable the best young basketball players from across the continent to have a unique opportunity to learn from some of the game’s most inspiring players and coaches.
In addition to working on their basketball fundamentals, the young players will participate in life-skills seminars while also having a chance to forge new friendships on and off the court which will last well beyond this camp.
“As the Ministry of Sport we welcome back the Basketball without Borders Africa camp to South Africa. We are encouraged by the role it plays in developing and unleashing the potential of our youth and pride ourselves in this initiative,” said Fikile Mbalula, South Africa Minister of Sport & Recreation,
South Africa Minister of Sport & Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, said his MInistry welcome back the Basketball without Borders Africa camp to South Africa, adding that the country is encouraged by the role it plays in developing and unleashing the potential of our youth and pride ourselves in this initiative.
“"The NBA has shown a sincere commitment to social responsibility and basketball development globally. Basketball as a sport plays a significant role in our National Sport and Recreation Plan and we look forward to welcoming the NBA and the best young talent from around the continent.”
As part of the daily camp schedule, participants will also take part in life-skills seminars in partnership with Hoops 4 Hope and UNICEF on a range of topics such as leadership, character development, gender equity and HIV/AIDS prevention and education.
Through NBA Cares, the NBA players and coaches will also take part in extensive community outreach efforts in communities in the Johannesburg locality.
The NBA has helped create over 30 places to live, learn or play in Africa, including technology centres, libraries, youth hostels, dining facilities, health clinics, homes and basketball courts.
Defensive specialist Sefolosha is a regular visitor to South Africa, the country of his descent, where he helps facilitate a year-round after school basketball program in the Mamelodi Township near Pretoria.
Ibaka, meanwhile, will first travel to Angola before descending on his native Congo where he will host clinics in Brazzaville and Kinshasa, prior to BWB. A member of the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive First Team, Ibaka will be making his second consecutive appearance at BWB Africa.
Deng who is making his third BWB Africa appearance, will also spend an extended period of time on the African continent this summer, travelling to Ghana before joining Ibaka in Angola for a series of NBA clinics.
The roster of NBA players is completed by three NBA All-Stars all making their first appearances at BWB Africa; the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), joins Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks) and Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls), whose grandfather hails from the Cameroon.
The coaching staff at BWB Africa 2013 is comprised of assistant coaches BJ Johnson (Houston Rockets), Monty Williams (New Orleans Pelicans) and former NBA head coaches Lionel Hollins and Nate McMillan. Athletic trainer Casey Smith (Dallas Mavericks) round out the coaching staff. Toronto Raptors General Manager and Nigerian native Masai Ujiri returns as Camp Director.
Since the inaugural ‘Africa 100 Camp’ in 2003, over 130 NBA and WNBA players, NBA team personnel and more than 1000 youth aged 18 and under have participated in the camps in Johannesburg and Dakar (2010), with six participants having made the transition to the NBA.
Most recently, Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng, the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 BWB Africa camp, was selected with the 21st pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz (subsequently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves).
The NBA has a long history on the African continent, opening its first office in Africa in 2010, and appointing Amadou Gallo Fall as Vice President for Development. For the 2012-13 NBA season, NBA rosters counted seven players from Africa.
Prior to BWB Africa, BWB Americas will make a return trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina from July 25 – 28, while BWB Europe will be take place in Portugal for the first time when the camp visits Almada from August 15 – 18.
Nike, a BWB global partner since 2002, will again outfit the campers and coaches of all three camps with Nike apparel and footwear.
“Basketball without Borders not only provides top level basketball instruction, but also teaches characteristics that are key to success in life such as hard work, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship,” said Lynn Merritt, Vice President, Global Basketball Sports Marketing, Nike. “We are proud to continue to work with the NBA and FIBA who share our commitment to developing talent around the world.”
Since its inception, the NBA and FIBA have staged 33 BWB camps in 20 cities in 17 countries. More than 140 different current and former NBA/WNBA players have joined with more than 100 NBA coaches to act as mentors for more than 1,900 campers from just over 100 countries, with 27 BWB campers drafted into the NBA.
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