Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried is currently taking part in Basketball Without Borders in Johannesburg, South Africa. He will play for Team World in the first-even NBA Africa Game at Ellis Park Arena on August 1 at 7am MST.
Q: What has it been like since you arrived.
A: It was just amazing for me when I first got here. Just to touch ground on somewhere that is part of me because my father’s family is African is a huge part of this whole experience... Come to find out, I’m half-African.
Q: What was your initial reaction when were invited to represent Team World?
A: I automatically said yes, I would do it, no problem. No if, ands or buts about it!
Q: What activities have you been doing this week so far?
A: We had the Basketball Without Borders camp. We got to visit one of the villages… These kids really don’t have much... When I grew up, I lived in a bad area, but I had more than what some of these kids will ever see. I look back on it and feel like I was really blessed. I’m just so blessed to have these kids show me a side of me that I never knew existed.
Q: What is some of the advice that you’ve given these kids?
A: Just have fun… No matter what you do in your life, have fun, enjoy it, because you’re only given one life.
Faried interacts with children during the NBA Cares Court Dedication as part of the Basketball Without Borders program at the SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale, South Africa.
Q: How excited were you when your team (at the BWB camp) won in overtime earlier this week?
A: It was excitement that the kids won, but it was more excitement that they stuck with it. It was a hard-fought game – both teams fought hard.
Q: Tell us what being involved in charity work means to you.
A: It means so much to me because I’m in a predicament where I can talk to a million people and, to me, if I change one person’s life or one person’s point of view – if I can change one person’s day around or whole life around – that to me is enough reward.
Q: What does being an NBA player mean to you?
A: I’m always excited about basketball. I love the game. I love everything it brings my way and everything I get to do outside of basketball and on the court. I’m living my dream job. Right now I’m excited about doing this community work and giving back to the people in Africa.
Q: What do you expect the fans to be like at Ellis Park Arena?
A: Oh, they’re going to be excited. I expect them to be yelling and screaming all game, out of their seats, because it’s the first time the NBA has ever touched foot in Africa for a game. It’s going to be electrifying, I’m excited. I hope you guys get up at 7 o’clock in the morning (Mountain Standard Time) to watch it, but if you don’t, I hope you DVR it!
Q: How has your summer been as a whole?
A: I’ve been in the gym every day. That’s priority No. 1. I’ve added some things to my game, and I’ll probably showcase some things tomorrow that I’ve added to my game.