NBA to play first game in Africa | CNN

It’s showtime! NBA announces its first game in Africa

by Marc Forster-Pert, for CNN
1 minute read
Published 7:44 AM EDT, Thu April 23, 2015
Born in South Sudan, Luol Deng will be the Team Africa captain for NBA's first game on the continent. The Miami Heat forward will lead a roster made up of first and second generation African players.
Born in South Sudan, Luol Deng will be the Team Africa captain for NBA's first game on the continent. The Miami Heat forward will lead a roster made up of first and second generation African players.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/file
Hakeem Olajuwon joined the Houston Rockets in 1984, and led them to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. The Nigerian-born center ended his career at the Toronto Raptors, retiring in 2002.
Hakeem Olajuwon joined the Houston Rockets in 1984, and led them to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. The Nigerian-born center ended his career at the Toronto Raptors, retiring in 2002.
Bob Strong/AFP/Getty Images
Referred to as one of the greatest shot blockers of all time, Dikembe Mutombo, from DR Congo, played for six NBA teams between 1991-2009. His longest stints were at the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.
Dikembe Mutombo —
Referred to as one of the greatest shot blockers of all time, Dikembe Mutombo, from DR Congo, played for six NBA teams between 1991-2009. His longest stints were at the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.
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Golden State Warriors star Festus Ezeli moved to America in 2004 from his native Nigeria, and signed to the Warriors as a center in 2012.
NBA's African stars - Festus Ezeli —
Golden State Warriors star Festus Ezeli moved to America in 2004 from his native Nigeria, and signed to the Warriors as a center in 2012.
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Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute entered the NBA Draft in 2008, where he was selected by the Milwaulkee Bucks. He has been with the Philadelphia 76ers since August 2014.
Luc Mbah a Moute —
Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute entered the NBA Draft in 2008, where he was selected by the Milwaulkee Bucks. He has been with the Philadelphia 76ers since August 2014.
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Tanzanian Hasheem "The Dream" Thabeet is a giant, measuring 7ft 3in. His last team was Oklahoma City Thunder before moving to play in the NBA's Development League.
Hasheem Thabeet —
Tanzanian Hasheem "The Dream" Thabeet is a giant, measuring 7ft 3in. His last team was Oklahoma City Thunder before moving to play in the NBA's Development League.
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Desagana Diop, a Senegalese center, was the 8th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. He has been a free agent since last year after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Desagana Diop —
Desagana Diop, a Senegalese center, was the 8th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. He has been a free agent since last year after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 21-year-old Bismack Biyombo began his professional basketball career in Spain and in 2011 he was drafted to the NBA and traded to the Charlotte Hornets, where he still plays today.
Bismack Biyombo —
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 21-year-old Bismack Biyombo began his professional basketball career in Spain and in 2011 he was drafted to the NBA and traded to the Charlotte Hornets, where he still plays today.
Getty Images
Born in the Republic of Congo, power forward Serge Ibaka played in the Spanish league before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. Ibaka won an Olympic silver medal representing Spain in the 2012 Olympics.<br />
Serge Ibaka —
Born in the Republic of Congo, power forward Serge Ibaka played in the Spanish league before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. Ibaka won an Olympic silver medal representing Spain in the 2012 Olympics.
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Sudanese Manute Bol played in the NBA from 1985 to 1995. At 7ft 7in, Bol was one of the NBA's tallest ever players. during his NBA career he played for the likes of Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors. Bol died in 2010 from acute kidney failure.
Sudanese Manute Bol played in the NBA from 1985 to 1995. At 7ft 7in, Bol was one of the NBA's tallest ever players. during his NBA career he played for the likes of Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors. Bol died in 2010 from acute kidney failure.
Tim Frisco/Allsport
NBA's African stars
CNN  — 

The NBA announced Wednesday that it will play its first ever exhibition game in Africa on August 1 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Team Africa will tip-off against Team World and will feature two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng, born in South Sudan, as its captain. The Miami Heat star will lead a roster made up of first and second generation African players.

Team World will be led by eight-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Here’s what Team Africa captain, Luol Deng, had to say on Twitter.

The game will be hosted in aid of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Ticket details and full player rosters are yet to be announced.

Click through the gallery above to see some of the greatest NBA players from Africa.

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