South Africa to host Basketball Without Borders camp

30 boys and 30 girls from over 20 African countries will participate in this year’s camp, ready to reap the rewards, bordering on a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA ​​players, legends and coaches.

South Africa (July 9, 2024) – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have decided that South Africa will host this year’s African edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB).

The competition, which is in its 20th year, will take place at the American International School of Johannesburg from Saturday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 6, 2024. It will be the 16th time that the NBA and FIBA ​​global basketball development and community outreach program has been held in South Africa.

According to Clare Akamanzi BWB Africa, CEO of NBA Africa, this year 30 boys and 30 girls from over 20 African countries will come together for a unique opportunity to learn directly from current and former players, legends and coaches from the NBA, WNBA and FIBA ​​and compete with peers from across the continent.

“Bringing Basketball Without Borders back to South Africa for its milestone 20th edition reflects the incredible momentum we are seeing for basketball in the country,” the CEO added, she explained in a statement.

Previous BWB Africa camps have been held in Dakar, Senegal (2010 and 2019), Luanda, Angola (2016) and Cairo, Egypt (2022). Since 2001, Basketball Without Borders has reached over 4,400 participants from 142 countries and territories, with 127 former campers going on to play in the NBA or Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The core mission of BWB is to raise the level of basketball in each region where the camp takes place and to provide top-class basketball instruction and development opportunities to maximise the potential of international talent. The main beneficiaries of this are the budding basketball players in the host country.

Participants and coaches announced prior to camp will also participate in life skills training, leadership development and NBA Cares programs, she said.

“We look forward to welcoming some of the most talented boys and girls from across the continent for four days of high-level basketball training, competition and leadership development that will have a lasting impact on their journey on the court and in their personal lives,” Akamanzi further explained in the statement.

Basketball Without Borders is seen as a game changer. FIBA ​​Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bilé called it a true equalizer for basketball on the African continent.

“As part of our ongoing partnership with the NBA in Africa, which also includes the Basketball Africa League (BAL), BWB continues to elevate our sport and provide invaluable opportunities and experiences to African youth and coaches, both on and off the court,” he said.

Statistically, 41 former BWB campers were among the record 125 international players named to opening night rosters for the 2023-24 NBA season, including 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76er from Cameroon BWB Africa 2011.

Embiid became the first former BWB camper to be named NBA MVP and 2019 NBA Champion Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012.

A total of 13 former BWB Africa camp participants have been drafted into the NBA since the first BWB Africa camp in 2003, including Ulrich Chomche (Cameroon), who was selected 57th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft last month.

Sixty-three former BWB Africa campers have also taken part in the BAL team selections during the first four seasons of the competition.

BWB Africa 2024 is supported by Nike, its global partner since 2002. Nike will provide participants with Nike apparel, footwear and Gatorade to help players and coaches stay hydrated throughout the camp.

Sources: bird story agency

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