Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari is set to participate in the second annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star 2016 Weekend at Mattamy Athletic Centre from Feb. 12-14 in Toronto.
Basketball Without Borders (BWB) is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that unites young basketball players to promote the sport and encourage positive social change in the areas of education, health, and wellness.
The 2016 All-Star Camp will include the top 53 high school aged boys and girls from 27 countries. The international 19 and under campers will travel to Canada and to receive one-on-one basketball advice from Gallinari and several other NBA players such as Greivis Vasquez, Bruno Caboclo, and Jeremy Lamb, as well as former and retired players’ Yao Ming, Zarko Cabarkapa, Pat Garrity, and Randy Livingston.
The NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have organized a weekend packed with skills development sessions, shooting competitions, and health and well-being conferences for the attending youth.
The NBA has held the global camps since 2001 and not only aides the campers on improving their game, but also gives them an opportunity to be scouted by NBA teams. In 2015-16 alone, 21 youth members of Basketball Without Borders found their way to the NBA. The Nuggets’ very own, Gallinari, was a Basketball Without Borders attendee from 15-16 years old, and he will now represent the NBA as a contributing mentor.
“The BWB Global Camp is a great opportunity for these boys and girls to learn directly from players and coaches, many of whom have been involved with the BWB program for years,” said NBA Vice President, International Basketball Operations Brooks Meek. “The BWB program continues to teach values like leadership, teamwork and respect that have application on and off the court. I want to thank our partners FIBA, Nike and Fusionetics for helping make this camp possible.”