The 16th edition of Basketball Without Borders Africa was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa last Wednesday and it saw an electrifying atmosphere and performance as the players took their first NBA Africa Game to another level on the continent.
Team Africa was made up of players born in Africa or with direct family ties to the continent, and Team World was composed of players from the rest of the world.
2018 Manute Bol MVP of the game, Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points to lead Team World to a 96-92 win over Team Africa in the NBA Africa Game 2018 Saturday in Pretoria, South Africa.
‘‘It was a great game first of all. I thought it was a great show, Team Africa played very well, we played well too and they could have won, we could have won, it was a last possession game. But I am glad that at the end of the day our goal is to give a show to the fans”, said LA Clipper player, Danillo Gallinari.
I am in a position where I can help a lot of people and make a big impact. I am thankful for the NBA putting me in this position to come and be the voice. I am excited for the future.
The NBA is hoping to give African players an opportunity to play the big leagues.
“I am in a position where I can help a lot of people and make a big impact. I am thankful for the NBA putting me in this position to come and be the voice. I am excited for the future”, said Dallas Mavericks player, Harrison Barnes.
Saturday’s game capped off a week of events that featured a Basketball Without Borders camp and various NBA Cares efforts to help support charities including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA) and UNICEF.
NBA Africa Game 2018 was played at the 8,500-seat Sun Arena in Time Square of Pretoria. The NBA has held two Africa games previously — in 2015 and last year — both in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city and commercial hub.
