The 2015 NBA Africa Game was an exhibition basketball game played on 1 August 2015 in Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was the first NBA game, and the first game involving any major North American professional sports league, to take place on the continent of Africa. It was contested between Team Africa, featuring NBA players and alumni that were born in or had parents born in Africa, and Team World, featuring NBA players from the rest of the world.
Team World won the exhibition game by a score of 101–97.
Rosters
+Team Africa Pos. Origin Player Team F Al-Farouq Aminu Portland Trail Blazers F Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks F Nicolas Batum Charlotte Hornets F Bismack Biyombo Toronto Raptors F/C Boris Diaw San Antonio Spurs F/C Gorgui Dieng Minnesota Timberwolves F Luol Deng Miami Heat C Festus Ezeli Golden State Warriors F/C Serge Ibaka Oklahoma City Thunder C Nazr Mohammed Chicago Bulls F Luc Mbah a Moute Los Angeles Clippers C Dikembe Mutombo retired NBA alumnus C Hakeem Olajuwon retired NBA alumnus Head coach: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)
+Team World Pos. Nat. Player Team G Bradley Beal Washington Wizards G Trey Burke Utah Jazz F Kenneth Faried Denver Nuggets C Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies F Pau Gasol Chicago Bulls F Jeff Green Memphis Grizzlies G Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers G Marcus Smart Boston Celtics G/F Evan Turner Boston Celtics F/C Nikola Vučević Orlando Magic Head coach: Lionel Hollins (Brooklyn Nets)
CAP Deng was the captain for Team Africa. CAP Paul was the captain for Team World. INJ Ibaka was unable to participate because of injury.
Coaches and managers San Antonio Spurs head coach, three-time NBA Coach of the Year, and five time NBA champion Gregg Popovich coached Team Africa, including his team's Boris Diaw. Mike Budenholzer, who was named Coach of the Year for the prior NBA season, and Monty Williams served as assistant coaches for the African side. Billy King, general manager for the Brooklyn Nets, held that position for Africa along with former NBA Executive of the Year and Nigerian native Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors.
Team World was coached by Lionel Hollins and assistant Brad Stevens. They were managed by Spurs' general manager R. C. Buford.
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