NBA and NBPA Announce Second NBA Africa Game This Summer in Johannesburg, South Africa!
During the NBA All-Star weekend, the NBA and NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) announced that they will host the second NBA Africa this summer in Johannesburg, South Africa. The game will have two teams Team World and Team Africa. All the funds will support the UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and SOS Children’s Village South Africa.
Two years ago, the NBA and NBPA hosted their first NBA game on the continent of Africa, I was there to witness history in the making. I won the NBPA contest More Than Game where I had the opportunity to travel with 2 other student-athletes and more than 20 NBA players and coaches to South Africa to volunteer with various causes they supported.
I spent a week in South Africa volunteering at the Basketball Without Borders clinic. I worked closely with the teams teaching the basketball players at the camp the importance of teamwork and dedication. The adjustment of teaching the teens did not come easily, but I learned quickly under the guidance of the NBA players.I visited the Boys and Girls Club in South Africa. I had the opportunity witness the philanthropic efforts of the NBA and NBPA. There, I attended the ribbon cutting of a brand new facility and basketball court, which donated by the NBA and NBPA. I had the opportunity to dance and have fun with the children who attends the club.
Lastly, I visited the SOS Children’s Village, which is an orphanage that house over 100 children. When we arrived at the village, the sound of screaming kids echoed the streets. The children were extremely excited that NBA players were visiting with them. As I walked into the village, the children grabbed my hand and jump on me with excitement. This was very emotional for me because I would have never thought my presence would have put a smile on so many faces. I was able to talk to some of the children at the SOS Village. I spoke with them about their dreams. All of the kids had goals and dreams just like me. They wanted to be doctors, teachers, nurses, and more. I told them that they can accomplish their goals. I encouraged them to stay focused and to support each other. I wanted to make sure I left the children there with a valuable message. I told them my story and how I was chosen to come to South Africa. I really wanted them to learn from my experience and to truly believe that their dreams can come true. As I look back on my trip to South Africa I learned so many valuable lessons. I learned that the children of South Africa have the same dreams as American kids. I learned that if you have a dream, you can really accomplish it by working hard at it each and every day.
I was there to witness the first NBA game on the continent of Africa. I learned that there are so many jobs in the NBA as well from lawyers to trainers and more. The last day in South Africa, we went to the Apartheid Museum our tour guide took us on the journey of the Apartheid, it was an emotional journey. At the end of the tour, our tour guide gave a speech and spoke about how they were so grateful that the NBA and NBPA choose South Africa to have the first NBA game on the continent of Africa. While giving the speech the tour guide had tears running down his face, he said,” that the NBA game meant so much for the continent of Africa”.
When the NBA and NBPA announced that they would be going back to South Africa, I was overwhelmed with joy. Although I will not be going back with them, I am happy that they are going back because the trip meant so much for the whole continent of Africa and America. The trip showed how sports can really unite people of different cultures, economic classes, languages, race and more. I believe this trip is important more than ever because of all the hatred going on in the world. This trip will give Americans and South Africans hope. As a 17-year-old girl at the time, who only wished to volunteer abroad, the NBPA took a chance on a girl from a small town who wanted to see the world but did not have the funds to. Even after two years, I am so grateful for the NBPA for taking a chance on me and giving me an opportunity of a lifetime. This summer, I will be glued to the television waiting to see this year NBA Africa Game and all the community service projects they will participate in. Basketball is truly More Than A Game.
Pictures: National Basketball Players Association