![]() |
BWB Africa 2007 Johannesburg, 5 to 9 September | All Camps |
SOUTH AFRICA 2007 – The fifth BWB Africa camp took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from September 5th – 9th 2007. The camp hosted about 100 of the top players aged 19 and under from more than 20 African countries. A contingent of 11 NBA players served as coaches at the camp, including Rafael Araujo of the Utah Jazz and Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns.
Campers were divided into ten teams without regard to nationality or race. The teams bunked and ate together for the duration of the camp, as well as competing in the camp tournament which took place every afternoon. In the mornings campers participated in clinics ran by the NBA players which covered basketball fundamentals and drills. On the final day of the camp an All-Star game was held, as well as various small contests and an award ceremony, recognizing the best campers in terms of skill and sportsmanship.
Off the court, campers attended daily Life-Skills seminars; hour long sessions in which speakers addressed topics ranging from the importance of leadership to drug-use education and prevention.
The NBA players also participated in BWB’s community outreach programs in partnership with the Ithuteng Trust and SKY Foundation. Ithuteng Trust and SKY are South African organisations which aim to help traumatised and at-risk youth within Soweto and other such urban areas. Highlights of 2007 included the refurbishment of a basketball court and the opening of the Cotlands Home Based Care Facility, a hospice for children who are either homeless or infected with HIV/AIDS.
The 2007 camp in Johannesburg, South Africa featured 97 players from 20 countries.
The 2007 camp in Johannesburg, South Africa featured 15 players and 10 coaches from the NBA and other top leagues affiliated to FIBA.