Utah Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant will participate in the first Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp in Angola, which will be held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at Pavilhão Multiusos do Kilamba in Luanda, announced the National Basketball Association (NBA) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today.
Bryant, who is entering his third season as a Jazz assistant coach after previously spending two years as a player development assistant, joins a group of NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches in conducting camps for 114 of the top male and female players born in 1999 from across Africa. BWB celebrates its 15th anniversary this summer as the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program.
A native of Oakland, Calif., Bryant played collegiate basketball at the University of Utah where he received the Jack Gardner team MVP award for the 2007-08 season; played one season professionally with Telemotive Muenchen, Germany; founded Bryant Sports Academy, a unique skills development program, in 2009; and then joined the Jazz in the summer of 2012. He enjoys community service and youth outreach, and has mentored more than 125 athletes.
Working closely with longtime NBA Cares partners UNICEF and Hoops 4 Hope, NBA Cares will organize a variety of community outreach efforts teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and the values of the game, including teamwork, respect and leadership as part of BWB Africa.
NBA players and coaches will host a Jr. NBA basketball clinic at Kilamba Arena for 100 boys and girls from two schools in the Luanda area. NBA Cares will also support two local schools -- Blue Horizon Orphanage and School and Escola 1056 -- with refurbishments, donations, and a visit from NBA players during the trip. In addition, Hoops 4 Hope will lead daily life skills sessions for the campers, focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention, education, leadership lessons and character development.
Since 2001, BWB has reached more than 2,500 participants from 131 countries and territories, with 43 campers drafted into the NBA, including nine BWB Africa campers. Twenty-one former BWB campers were on opening-night rosters for the 2015-16 NBA season.