Evan Fournier has spent his last two summers reconnecting his African roots

Evan Fournier represented Team Africa in the NBA Africa Game, spending his summer once again reconnecting to his African roots.

Evan Fournier was not having a good day Saturday at the NBA Africa Game. He missed his first seven shots in a game where it was kind of clear many players were playing at half speed. This was a charity exhibition game to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the culmination of a week of community events in South Africa.

He struggled, making wild drives and half-hearted attempts at the rim. His shot was not working. And Team Africa had him playing a lot of point guard, a role he is not best suited for. This was an exhibition, though, so no harm, no foul.

When he finally pulled up for three and the ball fell through, he looked to the heavens as if to say, “Finally.”

This was an exhibition game. No one will care about the results — 10 points on 2-for-12 shooting if you must know. Reading too much into the results of an exhibition game is bound to get anyone into trouble.

The week was about more than the game, of course. It was the end of a week of community activities in South Africa and the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program. It is the centerpiece of the weeklong events. The chance for people in Pretoria, South Africa to see NBA players in action.

The week is about building the grassroots of the game.

For Fournier the week was again an opportunity to reconnect with his roots.

Fournier grew up in France and has long represented France in international play. He played for them in World Cup Qualifying.

But in the last two years, Fournier has connected more with his African heritage. His mother was born in Algeria and emigrated to France. Fournier had never visited until last year. That experience was a big one for him as he learned a little bit about the country his mother came from:

That experience was a big one for him. After going there, he promised to return and learn more about their culture. Representing Team Africa was a step in that reconnection. Something he wanted to do.

No, there were not many highlights for Fournier in the actual game we got to see in the United States. But that was never the point of the trip.

The point of the trip was events like the Habitat for Humanity build or the Basketball Without Borders camp or the camp with youth groups.

Team World defeated Team Africa 96-92 behind 23 points from Danilo Gallinari. Again, that does not matter nor is it the important part of the week.

For Fournier and for those that were there, it was a chance to reach out and connect with the game at the grassroots level.

Certainly, a job well done.