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Rockets’ Mutombo Helps Impact Africa With Basketball Without Borders

On September 7, the NBA brought together 100 players from 20 different countries for a five-day spectacle of basketball instruction and competition for Basketball without Borders- Africa. Hosted in South Africa, Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo led a gathering of NBA players who toured throughout Africa and lent their basketball wisdom at basketball camps.

Joining Mutombo was New Orleans Hornets forward Maciej Lampe, Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby, former New York Knicks forward Jerome Williams, Phoenix Suns guard Jim Jackson, Detroit Pistons forward Darvin Ham, and Los Angeles Clippers center Mamadou N’diaye. Players spent time directing clinics and teaching the various aspects of the game.

However, basketball was not the lone focal point. On September 10, the camp crew hosted a HIV/AIDS workshop, and UNICEF South Africa talked to the campers about HIV/AIDS and its impact on young people , as well as the situation in the world. The NBA players also gave their insight and participated in the workshops outlining why awareness and prevention is so important, emphasizing that HIV/AIDS is largely preventable. The camp also held daily Life Seminars, which included discussions on the challenges of keeping the next generation of kids HIV-free and upgrading resources to provide prevention for young children.

In his NBA blog on his trip to South Africa as part of the NBA contingent for Basketball Without Borders, former Phoenix Suns center Mark West took time to assess the governmental issues of Africa. He explained how the people of Africa are “so new to the idea of not being in an oppressive system. Both the oppressed and the oppressors are adjusting to their new way of life.” West also went on to explain how “the government was handed over to people who had never governed. Miracles were expected from people who did not know how to govern themselves yet. They have the title, but they do not necessarily have the know-how. That will come with time. They are hopeful, though, because they see that they are headed in the right direction.”

The purpose of Basketball without Borders is to reach out to the community of Africa and offer hope and guidance. As the leader of the cause, Mutombo has always portrayed a strong influence as an ambassador for the NBA and as a spokesperson for helping others. Basketball without Borders-Africa only cemented his reputation.