NBA and FIBA have returned to South Africa for the 20th anniversary of Basketball Without Borders and have brought quite a number of basketball heavyweights along to the development camp. BWB is an ongoing initiative that brings together high-school prospects from 25 African countries to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent.
The current NBA players making up the cohort include Bam Adebayo, Darius Garland, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Kuminga. The coaches making up the contingent include Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, veteran NBA coach Dave Joerger and former Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey. Camp Directors include Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman, Team President and Alternate NBA Governor Masai Ujiri, New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and Portland Trail Blazers Assistant General Manager Mike Schmitz.
Apart from the on-court activity, NBA and WNBA players and coaches participated in a number of community outreach initiatives, including the unveiling of four newly renovated basketball courts in Alexandra, followed by a Jr. NBA basketball clinic for more than 200 boys and girls from the community. The delegation also visited Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and donated medical and rehabilitation equipment for the Burns Unit.
They made time for a visit to the NBA store in Sandton City to connect and engage with fans and then it was back to the business of coaching and development at the American International School in Midrand.
Basketball Without Borders has reached more than 4,100 participants from 136 countries and territories since 2001, with 112 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA. The NBA and FIBA have staged 70 BWB camps in 47 cities across 32 countries on six continents.
