The rosters have been announced already and there are some big-time players taking part, with All-Stars, veterans and young rising stars set to take the stage at the Ticketpro Dome on August 5. Both Team Africa and Team World are packed with top talent to whet the appetite of everyone, from die-hard fans to those just learning to love the game of basketball.

Team Africa’s co-captains, Luol Deng and Thabo Sefolosha, are two of the most highly respected players in the League. They are veteran players who have seen it all and have played at the very highest level in the NBA. Deng is a two-time All-Star and Sefolosha’s journey has included an NBA Finals. The rest of the Team Africa roster is stacked with impressive playing talent as well. A team made up of Bismack Biyombo, Clint Capela, Gorgui Dieng, Joel Embiid, Serge Ibaka, Luc Mbah a Moute, Salah Mejri, Emmanuel Mudiay, Victor Oladipo and Dennis Schroder with give anyone problems. It has height and skill, power and precision. Team Africa has it all in abundance, as well as a hunger to get the victory on the day and avenge the loss in the 2015 NBA Africa Game.

Team World is no less impressive and also features an excellent mix of veterans and young stars. Injury has claimed Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler, who has been replaced by Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. That change won’t harm Team World’s chances as they look to win in South Africa for the second time. The Team World co-captains themselves are a mix of youth and experience, with Kemba Walker and Dirk Nowitzki leading the international side.

Joining Walker and Nowitzki are Leandro Barbosa, Jaylen Brown, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Courtney Lee, Kyle Lowry, CJ McCollum and Kristaps Porzingis. That team boasts five All-Stars, with players from all around the globe representing the USA, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

Basketball Without Borders (BWB) will form part of the festivities leading up to the game and the coaches and players will share their vast knowledge with the BWB campers during their time in Johannesburg. There are a host of very knowledgeable coaches taking part in the NBA Africa Game, including NBA head coaches Alvin Gentry (Pelicans), Michael Malone (Nuggets) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat). Completing the coaching roster are assistant coaches David Adelman (Magic), Pat Delany (Hornets), BJ Johnson (Rockets), Sidney Lowe (Washington Wizards), Jamahl Mosley (Mavericks), Patrick Mutombo (Raptors) and Lloyd Pierce (76ers). Athletic trainers Keith Jones (Rockets) and Ed Lacerte (Celtics), as well as NBA referees James Capers and Zach Zarba, will also form part of the traveling group of professionals providing invaluable input to the players in the Africa Game and the BWB campers.

Also part of the contingent is Raptors president Masai Ujiri who is always hands on with young players and has given massive amounts of his time to helping develop African talent. Miami Heat assistant GM Adam Simon will be part of the team of officials participating.

The NBA Africa Game countdown is starting to pick up pace and the excitement will soon reach fever pitch. There are still tickets available for what promises to be one of the best sporting experiences on the African continent.

By Cyrus Rogers