The NBA announced Thursday that former University of Florida basketball standouts Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks) and Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls) are among the players that will be traveling globally for the league’s Basketball Without Borders program.
Basketball Without Borders is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program that uses the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness.
Horford will participate in Basketball Without Borders Americas in Mexico City from August 6-9, while Noah will take part in Basketball Without Borders Africa and travel to Johannesburg, South Africa from Sept. 2-6.
The top youth players 19 and under from Latin America and Africa, as selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, will train under NBA players and coaches and compete against their peers. Campers will be divided into teams independent of race, religion or nationality to promote friendship and diversity. NBA players will partner with local community groups to lead daily life-skills sessions focusing on the importance of education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. Through NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative, NBA players and coaches will participate in extensive community outreach programs with local non-profit organizations including the creation of places for children and families to live, learn or play.
It marks the fourth consecutive year a former UF player has been involved in Basketball Without Borders, as David Lee of the New York Knicks traveled to Istanbul, Turkey last year, while Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs traveled to Shanghai, China in 2006 and Sao Paulo Brazil in 2007.
