Chris Paul to play in first-ever NBA game in Africa

Clippers superstar point guard Chris Paul will play in what is being called the first-ever NBA game in Africa, which is set to take place Aug. 1 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The game will have two teams of NBA players -- one made up of players born in Africa and second-generation African players, and the other with NBA players from the rest of the world.

The game is in support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Assn. of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The game is to air live in the U.S. on ESPN at 6 a.m. PDT.

Team Africa features two-time all-star Luol Deng (Miami Heat; born in South Sudan), Al-Farouq Aminu (Portland Trail Blazers; parents from Nigeria), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; parents from Nigeria), Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets; parent from Cameroon), Bismack Biyombo (Toronto Raptors; Democratic Republic of the Congo); Boris Diaw (San Antonio Spurs; parent from Sengal), Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves; Senegal), Festus Ezeli (Golden State Warriors; Nigeria) Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder; Congo) and Luc Mbah a Moute (Sacramento Kings; Cameroon).

Team World features Paul, an eight-time NBA all-star, as well as Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards; U.S.), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets; U.S.), Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies; Spain), Pau Gasol (Chicago Bulls; Spain), Jeff Green (Grizzlies; U.S.), Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics; U.S.), Evan Turner (Celtics; U.S.) and Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic; Montenegro).

“I look forward to representing Team World in the first NBA game in Africa,” Paul said in a statement. “It will be my first visit to the continent, and I cannot wait to contribute to the growth of the game on and off the court.”

Five-time NBA champion Gregg Popovich of the Spurs will coach Team Africa. Brooklyn Nets Coach Lionel Hollins will coach Team World. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will attend the game along with NBA global ambassador Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and NBA Africa ambassador Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria).