- NBA/FIBA Players and Coaches to lead basketball Camp with a Focus on Education, Health and Wellness - - Elite camp to feature five players from India -

NEW DEHLI, JUNE 2, 2008 -- NBA players Kyle Korver (Utah Jazz), Ronny Turiaf (L.A. Lakers), Pat Garrity (Orlando Magic), and Linton Johnson (Phoenix Suns) will participate in the NBA’s first event in India when Basketball without Borders Asia tips off at the American Embassy School of New Delhi July 3-6, the National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Basketball Federation of India, announced today. The NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program unites elite young basketball players to promote the sport and encourages positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness in local communities.

“The NBA and its players are afforded a unique opportunity to use basketball as a forum and stress the values of our game to influence social change,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Each Basketball without Borders camp unites a diverse group of people to initiate a global dialogue on important issues such as healthy living, education and HIV/AIDS awareness.”

Joining the NBA players as camp coaches are NBA Legend Sam Perkins, NBA coach Don Casey and Don Newman of the San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Farnam of the Minnesota Timberwolves will take part as the camp’s athletic trainer. Houston Rockets assistant coach Dean Cooper will oversee as camp director for the fourth consecutive year. NBA great Dominique Wilkins will also be visiting India at the time of the event to help continue to grow participation in basketball and popularity of the NBA.

“FIBA is very satisfied with its long-term collaboration with the NBA. Basketball without Borders is an invaluable educational, social and health-awareness tool for all youth, where they also showcase their skills and learn from some of the best coaches and players,” said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann. “We are pleased to be going to India for the first time, where Basketball without Borders will be able to further a growing interest in basketball.”

“We look forward to hosting this most prestigious basketball camp,” said Harish Sharma, BFI Secretary General. “This will be an extraordinary opportunity to work with both the NBA and FIBA to help promote basketball in India.”

Selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, 53 basketball players (ages 19 & under) from 15 countries and territories will unite to take part in basketball instruction and competition. To promote friendship and diversity, the campers will train as teams without regard to race, religion or nationality. Please refer to the chart below for a complete list of campers and countries.

Current and former NBA players and team personnel, working as camp coaches and mentors, will lead life-skills seminars that promote education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. Each camp also will include extensive community outreach efforts by the NBA, FIBA and their partners that will include the creation of safe places where children and families can live, learn or play. Since 2001, NBA Cares has created more than 400 live, learn or play centers around the world.

The NBA’s relationship with India dates back to 1993 when games were first broadcast on television. ESPN Star Sports, the NBA’s television partner, will provide coverage of the camp and have unique and exclusive behind-the-scenes access of the event to create innovative programming for viewers across the country. The Basketball without Borders camp also currently features American Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company, DHL, EA Sports, Nike, Spalding and Tata Consultancy Services as official partners.

To date, Basketball without Borders has featured over 250 current and former NBA players, coaches and team personnel from 30 different teams who have served as camp coaches and mentors for over 1200 young athletes from more than 100 countries and territories on five continents. Last year, Basketball without Borders took place in Shanghai, China; São Paulo, Brazil; Paris, France; and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Basketball without Borders Camp Participants: