featured-image

Zeller to Participate in 2014 Basketball Without Borders Asia

May 13, 2014

The NBA and FIBA announced today that Charlotte Bobcats forward Cody Zeller will participate in Basketball Without Borders Asia in Taipei, Taiwan from June 13-16. Zeller will be among 20 current and former NBA players and coaches participating this summer in Basketball Without Borders (BWB), which will also feature a first-time camp in Rome and a return to Johannesburg, South Africa.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to participate in the Basketball Without Borders initiative,” Zeller said. “I always look forward to the chance to give back and help teach the game that I love. I’m excited to represent my team and help the people of Asia learn about the game of basketball.”

Zeller will be joined by fellow NBA players Nicolas Batum (Portland Trail Blazers), John Salmons (Toronto Raptors) and Ronny Turiaf (Minnesota Timberwolves). Eight-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming will make a one-day appearance. BWB Asia 2014 will bring together the top 50 players born in 1996 or 1997 from more than 20 Asian and Oceanic countries.

Zeller’s appearance marks the second straight year the Bobcats have had a player participate, joining center Bismack Biyombo, who took part in BWB Africa in 2013.

Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program, has reached 1,700 campers from more than 120 countries, with 28 BWB campers drafted into the NBA. BWB features NBA players and coaches training top youth players and leading daily life-skills seminars on values such as leadership, character development, and living a healthy lifestyle. Through NBA Cares, the league’s global social responsibility program, the NBA players and coaches participate in community outreach efforts highlighted by the creation of places for children and families to live, learn or play.

Since its inception, the NBA and FIBA have staged 36 BWB camps in 21 cities across 18 countries on five continents. More than 150 different current and former NBA/WNBA players have joined nearly 140 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams.