Dakar to host Basketball without Borders Africa 2010

A contingent of NBA players and coaches led by NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo will travel to Dakar, Senegal Aug. 5-8 for the eighth edition of Basketball without Borders Africa it was announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSBB).

The four-day camp that combines high level basketball instruction and extensive community outreach efforts, will unite the top 65 young basketball players (19 and under) from across Africa as selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations. Having previously taken place in Johannesburg since 2003, this will be the first time the event is held in Senegal.

"I am proud to welcome Basketball without Borders Africa to my home country of Senegal," said Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President of Development in Africa. "The Basketball without Borders program has a long tradition of helping create positive change through the values of our game and I look forward to assembling the top basketball talent on the continent as we continue to help grow the game of basketball in Africa."

The NBA recently appointed Fall as NBA Vice President of Development in Africa and announced the opening of a Johannesburg-based office for Spring 2010 as part of the NBA's ongoing commitment to Africa.

Since the inaugural 'Africa 100' camp in Johannesburg in 2003, more than 45 NBA players and legends have coached and mentored nearly 700 of the best players spanning the African continent. The 2010 edition will feature the top players from over 20 countries as they come together to train under NBA players and coaches, and compete against their peers. To forge friendship and cooperation, campers will be divided into teams independent of their nationality.

"Basketball without Borders is a unique program that combines high level coaching with important community work," said Alphonse Bile of FIBA Africa. "As the sport continues to grow across the continent, we are proud to partner with our friends at the NBA and the FSBB to support this important event."

"We are extremely proud to be working alongside the NBA and FIBA on this wonderful initiative here in Dakar," said El Hadj Amadou Gaye, President of the Senegalese Basketball Federation. "We look forward to welcoming the NBA stars and coaches for four days of intense competition and off-the-court activities that will serve to further raise the profile of the sport in Senegal and across Africa."

Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) will lead a contingent of NBA players and coaches as camp counselors. Previous BWB Africa NBA participants include NBA All-Stars Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwight Howard along with DeSagna Diop (Senegal), Luol Deng (Sudan) and Didier Ilunga Mbenga (Congo). Mouhammed Sene of Senegal became the first BWB Africa participant to make the transition to the NBA when he was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 2006. Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute of the Milwaukee Bucks who himself was a camp participant in 2003, returned to the program in 2009 as a Coach, mentor and role model for the campers.

In addition, through NBA Cares, the league's social responsibility initiative, NBA players and coaches will participate in extensive outreach programs in the Dakar community Since 2005, NBA Cares has created more than 460 live, learn or play centers around the world. NBA players and coaches will also help lead daily life-skills seminars in partnership with local NGO's to promote leadership, character development, health and fitness throughout the four-day event.

Basketball without Borders Africa will feature a number of marketing partners, including Nike, a Basketball without Borders global marketing partner since 2002, South African Airways and Spalding. Nike will again outfit all the camp participants and coaches with Nike footwear and apparel.