Bismack Biyombo to participate in NBA Africa Game

Bismack Biyombo is keeping very busy this summer as he gives back to his homeland. Biyombo will be one of the headliners at the NBA’s Africa Game in August.

The NBA is continuing to increase its efforts to grow basketball in Africa throughout the continent. No player has likely reaped the benefits of this grassroots expansion quite like Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo.

Biyombo will now be one of the representatives bringing NBA basketball to the continent once again. He, along with Magic assistant coach David Adelman and former Magic player and current Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, will play in the NBA Africa Game on Aug. 5 in Johannesburg, Africa.

"“It was an honor and privilege to play in the first NBA game in Africa in 2015,” Biyombo said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to another great game in August.”"

This will be the second exhibition game the NBA hosts in South Africa following 2015’s game. Nikola Vucevic played in that game to represent the Magic. Biyombo also played in the game that featured cameo appearances from Dikembe Mutombo and Hakeem Olajuwon.

For Biyombo, being a part of the NBA’s efforts in Africa are extremely personal. Biyombo has personally done a lot to help grow the game in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and provide an outlet for children in his homeland who have not always had things easy there.

As Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated detailed last summer, Biyombo is hoping to use some of the four-year, $70 million he signed last summer to build schools and basketball courts in his homeland. When he grew up, he did not have shoes to play in the war-torn nation. He had a long journey to the NBA.

His discovery of basketball changed his life. It has had a big impact on his country as Biyombo has paid it forward.

Among Biyombo’s charitable efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last summer were holding basketball camps for local children, building bilingual schools and awarding scholarships to help students continue their studies. Biyombo is so invested in his country’s future, some people believe he may one day run for president.

His impact is clear. And he is a clear and obvious player to represent the NBA and basketball during the Africa Game and the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders camp.

Among the players playing for Team Africa will include Emmanuel Mudiay, Luol Deng, Thabo Sefolosha and former Magic big man Serge Ibaka. Team World’s roster includes Dirk Nowitzki, Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry and Courtney Lee.

The game is just an exhibition. But the Basketball Without Borders camp has helped discover promising players to bring to the United States and eventually play in the NBA. It has helped build basketball infrastructure in the countries it visits while reaching local children to teach life skills and basketball. It represents the NBA’s commitment to try to grow the game throughout the continent.

Biyombo is already doing that in his homeland. He has traveled around a bit during the offseason. But he is now preparing to head back to his homeland for the bulk of his work.

Wednesday, he posted a photo of him with several bags of material and supplies from Jordan Brand he is bringing with him to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for his basketball camp.

While Biyombo had a difficult first season with the Magic, there is no doubt Biyombo is providing a huge benefit to his home country and giving back in a major way.

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He is a perfect representative for this game.