The Pacers television broadcast duo of Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner have the honor of traveling to South Africa to be on the worldwide call of the NBA’s first-ever game in Africa. The world feed will be seen in more than 250 countries.
![Denari and Buckner team up to broadcast the first NBA game in Africa for the World feed. [Photo: @ChrisDenari]](https://i0.wp.com/www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-08-01-Denari-and-Buckner-NBA-Africa-game.jpg?resize=325%2C245)
Denari and Buckner team up to broadcast the first NBA game in Africa for the World feed. [Photo: @ChrisDenari]
The game in Johannesburg, which pits Team Africa against Team World, will air live on ESPN on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 9 a.m. ET — and then will re-air later Saturday on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.
(NBA TV also plans to re-air the game at 1 p.m. ET Saturday, and then again at 8 p.m.)
Of local note — Brad Stevens, the former Butler coach and now the lead man for the Boston Celtics, is an assistant for Team World. Brooklyn Nets coach Lionel Hollins is the head man for Team World.
Team Africa, comprised of players born in Africa and second-generation African players:
- Luol Deng (Miami Heat; Great Britain; born in South Sudan)
- Al-Farouq Aminu (Portland Trail Blazers; U.S.; parents from Nigeria)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece; parents from Nigeria)
- Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets; France; parent from Cameroon)
- Bismack Biyombo (Toronto Raptors; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Boris Diaw (San Antonio Spurs; France; parent from Senegal)
- Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves; Senegal)
- Festus Ezeli (Golden State Warriors; Nigeria)
- Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder; Congo)
- Luc Mbah a Moute (Sacramento Kings; Cameroon).
Team World:
- Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers; U.S.)
- Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards; U.S.)
- Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets; U.S.)
- Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies; Spain)
- Pau Gasol (Chicago Bulls; Spain)
- Jeff Green (Memphis Grizzlies; U.S.)
- Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics; U.S.)
- Evan Turner (Boston Celtics; U.S.)
- Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic; Montenegro).
[Last month, Pacers assistant coach Dan Burke and Damjan Rudež, who has since been traded, took part in a Basketball without Borders camp in Spain.]
Denari and Buckner will team up this upcoming season for their 10th year together announcing Pacers games on FOX Sports Indiana. Buckner is heading into his 17th season as the analyst.
Not a bad few weeks for Denari — Fever and Brickyard 400 broadcasts, and now an NBA exhibition game in South Africa.
Denari has been documenting his trip on Twitter. Some of his best are below:
Pretty awesome experience representing @Pacers and @NBA at this #BWBAfrica event in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/p36sSNFOgJ
— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) July 30, 2015
Great to spend time w/ @Celtics coach Brad Stevens in So. Africa. Together @ButlerMBB, now @NBA family. #BWBAfrica pic.twitter.com/Zb3lxj8yxe
— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) July 30, 2015
Hard to believe I'm here with @NBA at #BWBAfrica. Great coaches here, great players. #NBAFamily pic.twitter.com/GyudfRDfKz
— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) July 30, 2015
Know @IndianaFever tipoff few hours@ away. Former Fever player @ebonyhoffman16 & husband Ron w/ me @NBA_Africa Game. pic.twitter.com/djvvRHTlqW
— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) July 29, 2015
What a day in South Africa with @NBA. @QuinnBuckner spent night @SuperSportTV previewing @NBA_Africa game. #BWBAfrica pic.twitter.com/bqkZcH6W6T
— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) July 30, 2015