THREE OF A KIND: The NBA Africa Game 2018 marks the NBA’s third exhibition game in Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa, was the host in 2015 and 2017.  This year’s game will again showcase a Team Africa vs. Team World format.  Team Africa consists of players born in Africa or with direct family ties to the continent.  Team World comprises players from the rest of the world.  The game will air live in sub-Saharan Africa on Kwes? Free Sports, Kwes? Sports 1 and the Kwes? TV app as well as Kwes?’s partner pay-TV and free-to-air channels.

EMBIID INDEED: The Team Africa roster features Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, who is set to make his NBA Africa Game debut after being unable to play last year.  Growing up in Cameroon, Embiid dreamed of playing professional volleyball or soccer.  A rapid growth spurt led him to the basketball court, where he was eventually discovered by fellow countryman and LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who brought Embiid to the 2011 Basketball Without Borders Camp in Johannesburg.  Last season, the 24-year-old Embiid started the NBA All-Star Game and was named to the All-NBA Second Team and NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

TALENT ON DISPLAY: Embiid will be joined on Team Africa by Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu, Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier and Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka, among others.  Team World is headlined by forward Harrison Barnes, Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari, San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay and Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton.  Team Africa will be coached by Memphis Grizzles Head Coach Memphis Grizzlies.  Team World will be coached by Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina of Italy.  Click here for the full rosters.

BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS: The NBA Africa Game 2018 will follow the 16^th edition of Basketball Without Borders Africa, which is being held at the American International School of Johannesburg from Aug. 1-4.  BWB has reached more than 3,200 participants from 127 countries and territories since 2001, with nearly 60 former campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents.  A record 24 former BWB campers were on opening-night rosters for the 2017-18 season, including three players in the NBA Africa Game 2018: Embiid, Gallinari and Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.

A WORTHY CAUSE: To honor the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, the NBA Africa Game 2018 will be played in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.  Mandela, who died in 2013, would have turned 100 on July 18.  The former South African president was a global icon for millions who embraced the ideal of human equality.  Said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: “Our third NBA Africa Game and 16^th Basketball Without Borders Africa camp will embody one of the most enduring parts of his legacy, which is the belief that sports have the power to inspire and change the world.”