NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Coming To Israel

April 20, 2017 | The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Israel Basketball Association today announced that the 16th edition of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Europe will be held Aug. 13-16 at The Wingate Institute in Netanya, Israel, marking the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in Israel.

BWB Europe will bring together the top male and female players born in 2000 from across Europe to learn directly from NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and to compete against the best young players from the continent. BWB Europe will also include a variety of NBA Cares and Jr. NBA community outreach efforts with youth in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in partnership with local community organizations.  These programs will highlight the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and the values of the game, including teamwork, integrity and respect. BWB has reached more than 2,720 participants from 134 countries and territories since 2001, with 43 campers drafted into the NBA.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to ever play in the NBA, said in a statement, “Basketball without Borders is an amazing program, and I’m fortunate that I was able to participate as a camper in 2005.  It’s great to see the NBA and FIBA recognize Israel’s basketball development efforts by hosting the camp there for the first time.  I look forward to working with Europe’s top male and female players and showing them the beauty and culture of my home country.”