Pau and Marc Gasol, players for the Chicago Bulls and the Memphis Grizzlies, respectively, will attend the historic first NBA game held at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg (South Africa) on August 1, as announced by the NBA.
The meeting, for which there are no more tickets, will be played between a team of stars born in Africa or continent descent, and another combination made up of players from around the world, the Gasol brothers have already confirmed their presence in the match.
“When I heard about the first game of the NBA in Africa, I did not miss the opportunity to participate,” said Pau, despite the fact that the start of the trainings for the Spanish team in preparation for the Eurobasket coincides with the meeting dates, would have the permission from the Spanish Basketball Federation to join at a later time.
The elder of the Gasol brothers was delighted with the opportunity, “Africa has a special meaning for me through my foundation. I really want to play and offer a good show for the fans, and to participate in Local community activities” said Pau.
The African team will be led by Miami Heat forward Luol Deng, born in South Sudan, however, the team will be without the Serge Ibaka, center for the Oklahoma Thunder born in Congo, he will not be able to play since he is recovering from an injury. In the the rest of the world team, together with the brothers Gasol we will have the likes of point guard from the Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul, or the center of the Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried.
Gregg Popovich, five-time NBA champion, will be the coach for the African team, along with NBA Coach of the Year Award winner (2014-15), Mike Budenholzer, from the Atlanta Hawks, while Lionel Hollins, Brooklyn Nets own, will lead the rest of the world team, and Brad Stevens, from the Celtics will aid as an assistant coach.
The match will be preceded by various activities the NBA had scheduled to take place in Johannesburg as part of the league’s charities, where players that will be a part of the game will be present. Since Hakeem Olajuwon got drafted by the Houston Rockets back in the 1984 draft, over 35 players from Africa have gone through the NBA.
