Basketball Without Borders 2008 Features First-Ever Event in India and Returns to South Africa and Turkey

Geneva, Switzerland 7th May 2008 - Basketball without Borders 2008 will take place for the first time in New Delhi (India) and will return to Istanbul (Turkey) and Johannesburg (South Africa), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today. The NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program unites elite young basketball players to promote the sport and encourages positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness in local communities.

"FIBA is very satisfied with its long-term collaboration with the NBA in the staging of Basketball without Borders. This program, now in its eighth edition, not only provides young basketball talents with the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn from some of the best coaches and players on the planet, but it has also become an invaluable educational, social and health-awareness tool for the youth of the world," said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann. "In addition, this year we are very pleased to be going to India for the very first time; a country where there is a growing interest in our sport and where we are sure that Basketball without Borders will be able to further this growth."

"The NBA and its players are afforded a unique opportunity to use basketball as a forum and stress the values of our game to influence social change," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. "Each Basketball without Borders camp unites a diverse group of people to initiate a global dialogue on important issues such as healthy living, education and HIV/AIDS awareness."

For the first time since 2002, Basketball without Borders Europe will return to Istanbul (Turkey) at the Darüssafaka Tesisleri, Ayhan Sahenk Spor Salonu, from 4^th to 7^th June 2008. Basketball without Borders Asia will be the FIBA/NBA first-ever event in India and will take place at the American Embassy School of New Delhi, from 3^rd to 6^th July 2008. As it has since 2003, Johannesburg (South Africa) will host Basketball without Borders Africa at the American International School, from 3^rd to 7^th September 2008. Basketball without Borders marketing partners include American Airlines, DHL, EA SPORTS, Nike, Spalding, South African Airways, Tata Consultancy Services and Turk Telekom.

Before travelling to South Africa, the BWB Africa contingent of players and coaches will conduct a basketball camp in Dakar (Senegal) in support of Sports for Education and Economic Development (SEEDS). Based in Senegal, the academy was founded by Amadou Gallo Fall, a BWB Africa camp director since 2003, and Dallas Mavericks director of scouting and vice-president of international affairs. In addition, former Olympic Gold Medallist Jennifer Azzi will join the coaching staff in Africa, becoming the first woman to participate in Basketball without Borders in that capacity.

Selected by FIBA, the NBA and participating federations, players (ages 19 and under) will unite on each continent to take part in basketball instruction and competition. To promote friendship and diversity, the campers will train as teams without regard to race, religion or nationality. Current and former FIBA/NBA players and team personnel, working as camp coaches and mentors, will lead life-skills seminars that promote education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. Each camp also will include extensive community outreach efforts by FIBA, the NBA and their partners that will include the creation of safe places where children and families can live, learn or play.

"NBA players have an obligation to install positive values and to promote social responsibility with young people everywhere because they look to us as role models and mentors," said Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets, who will be participating in his eighth camp. "Health and education are two of the most important social issues globally and Basketball without Borders provides a great platform to create awareness for these issues."

A Basketball without Borders marketing partner since 2002, Nike will again outfit all the camp participants and coaches with Nike footwear and apparel. "Basketball without Borders teaches young basketball players the importance of hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship," said George Raveling, Global Director, Nike Basketball Sports Marketing. "These are all vital attributes to the young campers, which will serve them well in the future both on and off the court, and we are proud to be working with the NBA and FIBA to promote these values."

To date, Basketball without Borders has featured over 250 current and former FIBA/NBA players, coaches and team personnel who have served as camp coaches and mentors for over 1200 young athletes from more than 100 countries and territories on five continents. Last year, Basketball without Borders took place in Shanghai (China), São Paulo (Brazil), Paris (France) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

Marcos Beltrá, FIBA Press Director, +41-22-545 00 00, beltra@fiba.com

Helen Wong, NBA Senior Director of International Communications, +1-212-407 82 99, hwong@nba.com