Before assuming the role of camp coaches for Basketball without Borders Europe 2007, which starts tomorrow at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris, the NBA players and coaches made their way to Sarcelles, a suburb just north of Paris to take part in the Legacy Project event.

In partnership with the town of Sarcelles and Powerade the NBA dedicated two refurbished outdoor basketball courts in the town. Despite the weather, local children were very excited to participate in the ceremony which saw them come face to face with the NBA stars.

The Mayor of Sarcelles, Mr Francois Pupponi, started the ceremony and was clearly touched by the presence of so many NBA players and coaches in his town. “Some of these children here today will not get to go on holiday but they will remember this day as one where they met their idols,” said Mr Pupponi. Phoenix Suns Boris Diaw motivated the children and spoke to them of the importance of education. “Even though we are well-known basketball players now, we all went to school. It doesn’t mean because you play basketball you don’t have to go school. It’s very important.” The children then had a question and answer session with the players which gave them a chance to interact directly with them and ask the questions they had been longing to ask such as ‘Do you have to be tall to be a basketball player’!

The 50 campers from all over Europe arrived in Paris today ready for the first day of the camp tomorrow. In the afternoon they were invited to an EA SPORTS Gaming Tournament where they had the exclusive opportunity to play NBA Live 2008. They all soon got to one another and battled on the screen before meeting tomorrow on court. The winner of the tournament had the chance to play against Boris Diaw.