BWB Asia set for 10th edition this week

BWB

 
The NBA, FIBA, and the Basketball Federation of India are set to host the tenth edition of Basketball Without Borders Asia this week.

Set to take place between May 30 and June 2 at the NBA Academy India in Delhi, it would be the second time BWB Asia is held in the subcontinent.

66 have been selected to participate in this special camp, including a couple of Filipinos in Forthsky Padrigao and Raven Cortez.

Participants will be undergoing a variety of activities on and off the court, including movement efficiency, positional skill development, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication. After four days, a boy and a girl will be named as BWB Asia 2018 MVPs.

A selection of players from the NBA will be helping out in coaching these kids, namely Corey Brewer, Caris LeVert, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell, as well as former WNBA champion Ruth Riley and former WNBA player Ebony Hoffman. Olynyk would be at home in this situation as a BWB alum (Americas 2009). Aside from them, current NBA assistant coaches Bret Brielmaier of the Brooklyn Nets, Darvin Ham of the Atlanta Hawks, Ryan Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Mike Wells of the Utah Jazz, will also serve as BWB Asia 2018 coaches. World Association of Basketball Coaches President Patrick Hunt will serve as the camp director, while Casey Smith of the Dallas Mavericks will act as the camp’s athletic trainer.

Preceding BWB Asia is a special camp tailored for eighteen female Indian prospects. Part of the NBA Academies' Women's Program, it will have Riley, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Azzi, and Blair Hardiek overseeing the camp. The three serve as the NBA Academy's global technical directors for women's programming across all seven NBA Academies worldwide.

Aside from these, both camps will have a variety of NBA Cares activities and Jr. NBA community outreach efforts with the youth in New Delhi, in partnership with local community organizations. Such an alliance highlights the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle and the values of the game, which includes teamwork, respect, determination, and community.

The Basketball Without Borders program has reached almost 3,200 participants from over 127 countries and territories since 2001,with fifty alums either drafted into the league or were signed as free agents. Currently 24 alumni were on the opening night rosters this season. 53 BWB camps have taken place in 33 cities across 27 countries.

An official partner since 2002, Nike will help outfit the campers of BWB Asia.