As part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS(tm), the Minnesota Timberwolves will continue the NBA's commitment to global social responsibility by hosting three NBA Cares projects, leaving a lasting legacy in the community of Istanbul.

On Oct. 4, during the team's training camp in Istanbul, the Timberwolves will dedicate a new NBA Cares Learn & Play Center presented by the leading home textile brand Taç, at Avcilar Atatürk Ilkögretim Okulu, a school affected by the devastating earthquakes of 1999. The Center will feature a newly created basketball court and Reading & Learning Center for the community, giving the kids access to educational resources and a safe place to play.

"From the dedication of a new Learn & Play center to the donation of hearing aids for deaf children, the Minnesota Timberwolves are leaving a lasting legacy on the communities and people of Istanbul," said Kathy Behrens, Senior Vice President, NBA Community and Player Programs.

Players from the Timberwolves will dedicate a refurbished basketball court with adidas at Findikzade Educational Park on Oct. 3. Following the dedication, the players will put the new court to use and host a basketball skills clinic for the students focusing on the fundamentals of the game.

NBA Cares, Minnesota Timberwolves players and team owner Glen Taylor, in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, will distribute much-needed, state-of-the-art hearing aids to over 1,000 children on Oct. 5. Taç will sponsor 50 of the children to witness the Timberwolves compete against Efes Pilsen Istanbul on Oct. 6 at Istanbul Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall.

NBA Cares efforts in Istanbul started in 2002, when Hedo Turkoglu and Peja Stojakovic, both then with the Sacramento Kings, led a group of Turkish and Greek basketball players serving as coaches and mentors for the NBA's second annual Basketball without Borders. Basketball without Borders is the NBA's global basketball development and community outreach program which uses the sport of basketball to influence positive social change.

NBA Europe Live will feature four NBA teams conducting training camp in Europe and competing against top Euroleague Basketball teams in a series of exhibition games. The Minnesota Timberwolves will host training camp and play games in Istanbul, Turkey and London, England; the Boston Celtics will be in Rome, Italy and London, England; the Toronto Raptors will be in Treviso, Italy and Madrid, Spain, and Memphis Grizzlies will be in Malaga and Madrid, Spain.

NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity, providing a million hours of hands on service to the community and creating 250 places where kids and families can live, learn or play. NBA Cares works with internationally-recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: UNICEF; the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

Contact: Kristin Conte, NBA Communications, 212.407.8534, kconte@nba.com