Two Pacers assistant coaches will head overseas in August for two separate NBA-sponsored coaching events.
First, Bill Bayno is one of eight NBA assistants to help out in the NBA’s third annual game in Africa – which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4 at Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria, South Africa.
Popeye Jones, meanwhile, will spend time in Belgrade, Serbia with Basketball Without Borders Europe Aug. 15-18. This camp is for the top players, 17 and under, across Europe. 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball Gary Harris (Nuggets), from Hamilton Southeastern, is scheduled to serve as a camp leader.
The NBA played its first game in Africa — Team Africa vs Team World — back in 2015, selling out then and in 2017 for games held in Johannesburg. The Pacers’ TV duo of Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner attended both of those games. They were invited to call the game for the world feed. That will not happen this year, however, as announcers will call the game from a New York studio.
Bayno, 56, will be joined by Harold Ellis (New York Knicks), Adrian Griffin (Raptors), Mark Hughes (Clippers), B.J. Johnson (Houston Rockets), Patrick Mutombo (Raptors; Democratic Republic of the Congo) and David Vanterpool (Trail Blazers).
Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina (Italy) will coach Team World while Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard overseas Team Africa. There are more than 80 current and former NBA players from Africa or with direct family ties to the continent.
Team Africa:
Al-Farouq Aminu (Portland Trail Blazers; U.S.; parents from Nigeria)
Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte Hornets; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Luol Deng (Los Angeles Lakers; South Sudan)
Cheick Diallo (New Orleans Pelicans; Mali)
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon)
Evan Fournier (Orlando Magic; France; parent from Algeria)
Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors; Republic of the Congo)
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Oklahoma City Thunder; France; parent from Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Ian Mahinmi (Washington Wizards; France; parent from Benin)
Pascal Siakam (Raptors; Cameroon)
Team World:
Marvin Williams (Hornets)
Harrison Barnes (Mavericks)
John Collins (Hawks)
Danilo Gallinari (Clippers; Italy)
Rudy Gay (Spurs)
JaVale McGee (Lakers)
Khris Middleton (Bucks)
Dennis Smith Jr. (Mavericks)
Hassan Whiteside (Heat)
Victor Oladipo stole the show last year. He had a game-high 28 points, nine rebounds, and five assists representing Team Africa. Oladipo’s parents, Chris and Joan, are from Nigeria.