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For the second time in three years, the NBA heads to Africa, as players from around the Association will compete in the 2017 NBA Africa Game on Saturday.
The first such exhibition game came two years ago, with Team World topping Team Africa, 101-97, inside Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg. This year’s game will also take place in Johannesburg, but this time will be at the Ticketpro Dome.
“I’ve heard so many great things from players around the league who traveled to South Africa in 2015 for the first NBA Africa Game and Basketball without Borders,” said Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum. “I can’t wait to suit up for Team World in Johannesburg this summer.”
It should be an entertaining game, but it is, of course, about more than just basketball.
“This is, to me, a dream come true as a young African player that grew up here dreaming about the NBA, dreaming about coming to Basketball Without Borders,” said the Orlando Magic’s Bismack Biyombo. “And when I see all these kids, the look on their face, the excitement on their face, it’s beyond amazing.”
Here’s a look at everything you need to know to watch this year’s game:
Date: Saturday, August 5, 2017
Start Time: 11 a.m. ET
TV Channel, United States: ESPN 2
TV Channel, Africa: Kwese Sports
Live Stream: WatchESPN, Sling TV, DirecTV Now or PlayStation Vue
Live Stream, Africa: Kwese Sports Facebook
Team Africa Roster
Note: These are players who were either born in Africa or are second generation
Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic
Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers
Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
Joel Embiid (not playing), Philadelphia 76ers
Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors
Luc Mbah a Moute, Houston Rockets
Salah Mejri, Dallas Mavericks
Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets
Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks
Thabo Sefolosha, Utah Jazz
Team World Roster
Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets
Courtney Lee, New York Knicks
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets