GAME WILL FEATURE FORMER NBA ALL-STAR CEDRIC CEBALLOS AND PERFORMANCES BY AN NBA DUNK TEAM
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa have teamed up with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa to create the ultimate basketball spectacle at the inaugural BET Experience Africa (TicketPro Dome, 12 December).
The NBA Celebrity Basketball Game Presented by Ford will feature former NBA All-Star and 1992 Slam Dunk Champion Cedric Ceballos and performances by an NBA Dunk Team. As part of the celebration, the game will also feature several South African artists and entertainers.
“Basketball is a skillful, entertaining and totally inspirational game that is loved and played by millions of people around the world,” said Viacom International Media Networks Africa’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Alex Okosi. “We are thrilled to partner with the NBA and Ford to bring this exciting game to BET Experience Africa.”
“The first BET Experience Africa is a great platform for the NBA and Ford to showcase the game of basketball and its global appeal by engaging with some of the most talented South African celebrities,” said NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall. “It has been a tremendous year for the NBA in Africa, and we hope that this celebrity game will further inspire people in South Africa to play and follow our sport.”
“The NBA stands for more than just basketball. It is aspirational, far-reaching and appeals to a young and diverse audience,” said Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region. “We are proud to once again have the opportunity to partner with the NBA and to now be a part of the VIMN’s BET Experience Africa. Being part of an event such as this, with other high profile brands, enables us to engage with audiences at what is sure to be an entertaining and exciting event.”
Thousands of music, sports and fashion fans are expected to turn out for the inaugural BET Experience Africa – the ultimate lifestyle festival featuring a day-long celebration of music, comedy, fashion, sport, food, and more. Created by VIMN Africa’s general entertainment channel BET (DStv channel 129), the day will culminate with the BET Experience Africa Concert headlined by superstar artists and Grammy Award winners Maxwell, Mary J. Blige, Young Thug and Raphael Saadiq, alongside AKA, Flavour, and Diamond Platnumz. Tickets for BET Experience Africa are on sale now at www.ticketpro.co.za.
The NBA has a long history in Africa with a record 10 African players on opening night rosters for the 2015-16 NBA season. Through NBA Cares, 61 places where kids and families can live, learn or play have been created in Africa, and Basketball without Borders Africa has been held 13 times. The league opened an African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. On 1 August 2015, Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg hosted NBA Africa Game 2015, the first NBA game on the continent, in a Team Africa versus Team World format. For more information on upcoming NBA events, fans can visit www.nba.com/africa, Facebook.com/NBAAfrica and Twitter @NBA_Africa.
