Players and coaches announced for NBA Africa Game 2018

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The league on July 27 released the list of players and coaches for the NBA Africa Game 2018 which is the third of such event and will happen on Saturday at Sun Arena at Time Square in South Africa’s Pretoria.

The game will be played between Team Africa and Team World. Like the names, Team Africa is composed of players born on with direct family ties to the continent while Team World include players from other parts of the world. Multiple big names can be found on the players' list including Joel Embiid and Serge Ibaka.

Gorgui Dieng (L) of Team Africa in action against Kristpas Porzingis (2nd L) of Team World during the 2017 Africa Game between Team Africa and Team World at the Ticketpro Dome on August 5, 2017, in Johannesburg, South Africa. /VCG Photo

Tony Brothers and Derrick Stafford will be working as referees. Moreover, Toronto Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri, Los Angles’ General Manager Rob Pelinka, NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo will all be at the game.

Though Africa has been seen as home to many NBA players, the official history between the continent and the league is still short since NBA set up its first office in Africa in 2010. After that, both the league and many players started to launch training camps and other basketball related events.

Players also need to participate in public welfare events during NBA Africa Game. /VCG Photo

The first NBA Africa Game came in 2015 in South Africa. It was also the first time for a North American professional sports league to move its game to the continent. The first game was a big success and a huge reminder to everyone watching it. Since then, the Africa Game became something more than basketball.

Unlike the NBA China Game, Africa Game is not commercialized, but it is a public event. The second game in 2017 was sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the SOS Children's Villages in South Africa. Besides playing the game, players also participated a lot of public welfare events. Meanwhile, all revenues of the game went to charity organizations.

Group photo during an NBA Cares and NBPA Foundation Service Project with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Basketball Without Borders Africa on August 3, 2017 in Gauteng province of Lenasia South, South Africa. /VCG Photo

The following are the rosters for NBA Africa Game 2018:

Team Africa:

Luol Deng (South Sudan), Ian Mahinmi (parent from Benin), Al-Farouq Aminu (parents from Nigeria), Bismack Biyombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Cheick Diallo (Mali), Joel Embiid (Cameroon), Evan Fournier (parent from Algeria), Serge Ibaka (Republic of the Congo), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (parent from Democratic Republic of the Congo), Pascal Siakam (Cameroon), head coach Juwan Howard.

Team World:

John Collins (US), JaVale McGee (US), Dennis Smith Jr. (US), Marvin Williams (US), Harrison Barnes (US), Danilo Gallinari (Italy), Rudy Gay (US), Khris Middleton (US), Hassan Whiteside (US), head coach Ettore Messina.