Geelong will host the first ever Basketball Without Borders NBA Camp in Australia, secured by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Sport John Eren today announced Victoria’s world-renowned NBA stars would help uncover the next international sensation at the June camp, which will feature 40 of the most talented young players from the Asia-Pacific region.
The young players will be put through their paces by former NBA players and coaches, as well as our own contingent of international champions. The five-day training camp will begin in Melbourne, before a boys and girls All-Star Game at The Arena in Geelong.
Never before has Victoria made such a mark on the NBA. Our own Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova went head to head in last season’s playoffs, while Dante Exum’s career is off to a flying start at Utah. Victorian-born Ben Simmons has been touted as a possible Number 1 pick at the 2016 NBA Draft.
Since 2001, the NBA and FIBA have joined forces for 45 Basketball Without Borders camps in 26 cities across 22 countries, and they’ve proven great breeding grounds – some 37 participants have later secured a spot on an NBA roster.
Basketball Without Borders is a great chance for the stars of tomorrow to stake their claim for a career in the big time, but so too an opportunity to grow the game at a grassroots level and encourage social change.
The NBA players will work with local communities to inspire youngsters and promote health and education, while a clinic for indigenous boys and girls from local state leagues will give them the opportunity to shine that they deserve.
Wheelchair basketball will feature at The Arena, while local Victorian coaches will learn valuable skills from the NBA legends at a coaches clinic.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, John Eren
“Basketball in Victoria is in the midst of a golden era. Our own stars are dominating the NBA like never before, and here’s our chance to identify the next generation of champions.”
“Basketball Without Borders is a great breeding ground for future stars – the numbers prove it – but it’s more than that. It’s about inspiring youngsters to be the best they can be.”
“This is a great opportunity for Geelong to play its part in helping uncover the next champion Australian basketball player to take the NBA by storm.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020