The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BASKETBALL Without Borders (BWB) Americas is coming to the Bahamas.

The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) will host the ninth edition of BWB Americas at The Kendal GL Isaacs National Gymnasium July 5-8.

It’s the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme will be held in the Bahamas.  

“On behalf of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, I’d like to thank the NBA and FIBA for bringing Basketball without Borders to the Bahamas for the first time,” said BBF president Charles ‘Softly’ Robins.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the best young basketball players from across North and South America to Nassau in July for what will be a truly historic event.”

BWB Americas will bring together the top male and female players born in 2000 from across North and South America to learn directly from NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and to compete against the best young players from the region. 

BWB Americas will also include a variety of NBA Cares and Jr NBA community outreach efforts with youth in the Bahamas in partnership with local community organisations. 

These programmes will highlight the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and the values of the game, including teamwork, integrity and respect.  Nike, a BWB global partner since 2002, will outfit the campers and coaches with Nike apparel and footwear.

“It is a pleasure to bring Basketball without Borders to the Bahamas.  In recent years the archipelago has hosted a regular early NCAA season tournament, which shows the growing interest in our sport on these shores,” said Zoran Radovic, FIBA national federations and sport director. 

“Holding a BWB camp and welcoming the best young talent from across the continent is further proof of the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s commitment to reaching and maximising its basketball potential.”

BWB has reached more than 2,720 participants from 134 countries and territories since 2001, with 43 campers drafted into the NBA.  Twenty-three former BWB campers, including four former BWB America’s campers, were on opening-night rosters for the 2016-17 season including Bruno Caboclo (Toronto Raptors; Brazil; BWB Americas 2013), Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks; South Sudan; BWB Americas 2015) and Kelly Olynyk (Boston Celtics; Canada; BWB Americas 2009).

“Bringing Basketball without Borders to new locations is part of our continued commitment to growing the game of basketball around the world,” said Brooks Meek, NBA Vice President, International Basketball Operations and head of Elite Basketball.

“In partnership with FIBA and the Bahamas Basketball Federation, we’re looking forward to hosting North and South America’s top male and female prospects in the Bahamas this July and giving back to the local community.”

The NBA and FIBA have staged 49 BWB camps in 30 cities across 25 countries on six continents.  More than 230 current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players have joined more than 185 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams to support BWB across the world.