Josh Steel and Akwasi Yeboah have been selected as the UK representatives for this year’s prestigious Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.
This year, the 13th edition of Basketball without Borders Europe will be held in Rome (Italy) for the first time from June 2nd to 5th, according to Eurohopes. The camp is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program that uses the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education and health and wellness. It is invite only and features 50 of the most talented players in Europe born in 1997 or later.
Campers receive top-level instruction on-court and participate in daily life-skills seminars focused on values of the game such as leadership, character development, and living a healthy lifestyle.
England Under-18s and Barking Abbey guard Steel, who also made the Jordan Brand Classic International game last year, averaged 12.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game with the England Under-16s at the Division B Europeans last summer, and is currently in Germany competing with England at the Albert Schweitzer tournament.
Fellow England Under-18 Yeboah, also at GB Regional Institute, Barking Abbey, averaged 11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last summer with the England Under-16s in Sarajevo, and is also currently in Germany.
The camp will feature former BWB campers and current NBA stars from Italy Andrea Bargnani, Gigi Datome and Danilo Gallinari.
In addition, Brandon Knight (Milwaukee Bucks) and Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks) will also participate. BWB has a long tradition in Italy with Treviso playing host to the event in 2001, and 2003-05.
“I have fond and lasting memories of my time as a camper at Basketball without Borders,” said Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani. “I am excited to be returning to my home town for this year’s event, and look forward to imparting my knowledge and experience to the young, up and coming stars of tomorrow. Sport can teach so many valuable lessons and I am honored to be a part of the BWB program.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Basketball without Borders Europe to Rome for the first time,” said Benjamin Morel, NBA Senior Vice President, Europe. “BWB gives the top young basketball players from across the continent the opportunity to improve and showcase their skills by learning from an experienced team of NBA, players and coaches. The camp seeks not only to provide elite training, but also to equip campers with the tools for success on and off the court.”
“We are excited to welcome Basketball without Borders Europe to Rome for the first time,” said Benjamin Morel, NBA Senior Vice President, Europe. “BWB gives top young basketball players from Italy and across the continent the opportunity to learn from an experienced team of NBA players and coaches. We are very fortunate to have three NBA players from Italy, themselves, previous participants of BWB, in attendance at this year’s camp. They are perfect examples of how hard work and commitment can lead to success both on and off the court, and I am sure they will be a great source of inspiration to the assembled campers.”
Since the inaugural BWB Europe camp in Treviso, in 2001, the Basketball without Borders program has reached 1,700 campers from more than 120 countries, across five continents with 28 BWB campers drafted into the NBA. The 2014 BWB schedule will also see a first-time camp in Taipei, Taiwan for BWB Asia, June 13-16; with Johannesburg, South Africa hosting BWB Africa for the 11th time, August 5-8.
Nike, a BWB global partner since 2002, will again outfit the campers and coaches of all three camps with Nike apparel and footwear.
Since its inception, the NBA and FIBA have staged 36 BWB camps in 21 cities across 18 countries on five continents. More than 150 different current and former NBA/WNBA players have joined nearly 140 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams.
Last year, it was Jules Dang Akodo and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye who made the camp.
Good luck to both Josh and Akwasi at the camp!
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