The NBA confirmed rumors that it’s taking the game to Africa next summer. In its relentless pursuit of untapped international markets, the L will host the first ever exhibition charity game on the African continent in August, 2015. Per the AP:
BREAKING NEWS: @NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announces the first ever exhibition game in South Africa next August! #NBAinAfrica #SSNBA
— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) August 5, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum made the announcement Tuesday in Johannesburg, where the NBA is holding a Basketball without Borders camp. He said all proceeds will go to charity and that becoming the first U.S. professional league to play a game on the continent is “just an evolution of our commitment to continuing to bring basketball to the continent of Africa.” […] “I think that’s a pretty big deal,” Tatum said.
Details of who will play and which charities will benefit are still to be determined. Tatum doesn’t believe any players would decline interest based on the injury suffered by Indiana’s Paul George, who broke his right leg in a USA Basketball exhibition game Friday.
“The involvement of our players in growing the game internationally and on a global basis is critical and it’s important, and I think that our players understand that and I think that the basketball community understands that,” he said in a phone interview.
