Lagos – Basketball fans across Africa would enjoy live telecast of the first-ever National Basketball Association (NBA) game to feature Team World against Team Africa in South Africa.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by SuperSport, saying the exhibition match has been scheduled for Aug. 1 at the Ellis Park Arena, Johannesburg.
It said the match would enjoy the support of various charity organisations across the continent, adding the ticket had since sold out.
The statement noted that Sudanese, two-time captain of the NBA All Stars, Luol Deng of Miami Heats would lead the pack for Team Africa.
It added that it would be a homecoming of sorts for Team Africa players, whose parents were of Africa descent.
Some of the players were born on the continent, while a few second generation Africans.
The statement said the African Team include, Al-Farouq Aminu who plays with Portland Trail Blazers, U.S.; has Nigerian parents.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who plays for Milwaukee Bucks from Greece has his parents from Nigeria.
Nicolas Batum, plays for Charlotte Hornets from France but his parents from were from the Cameroons, Bismack Biyombo, plays for Toronto Raptors had the Democratic Republic of Congo parents.
Boris Diaw, who plays in San Antonio Spurs, from France, but whose parents are from Senegal, while Gorgui Dieng plays with Minnesota Timberwolves is from Senegal.
Nigeria’s Festus Ezeli, who plays for Golden State Warriors, is Nigerian, while Serge Ibaka, who plays for Oklahoma City Thunder, from Congo and Luc Mbah a Moute, plays for Sacramento Kings, is Cameroonian.
The statement said that Team World, comprise players from the rest of the world.
They comprise the eight-time NBA All Stars, Chris Paul of Los Angeles Clippers, U.S., Bradley Beal of Washington Wizards, U.S., Kenneth Faried of Denver Nuggets, (U.S.), Marc Gasol of Memphis Grizzlies from Spain, Pau Gasol of Chicago Bulls from Spain.
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Others are Jeff Green of Memphis Grizzlies from U.S., Marcus Smart of Boston Celtics from U.S., Evan Turner of Boston Celtics, U.S., and Nikola Vucevic of Orlando Magic from Montenegro. (NAN)