– 74th Season Tips Off Oct. 22: Defending Champion Raptors vs. Pelicans and Clippers vs. Lakers on TNT –
– Schedule Features Earlier Doubleheaders for Select TNT and ESPN Games –
– Back-to-Backs at Historic Low for Fifth Consecutive Season; No Four-in-Fives for Third Straight Season –
– All Five Christmas Day Games on ABC or ESPN; TNT Tripleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day –
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2019 – The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio for the 2019-20 regular season. The league’s 74th regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, and conclude on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Below are 2019-20 schedule highlights:
- In an effort to present national television games to the largest possible audience, the NBA worked closely with its teams and domestic broadcast partners to schedule earlier start times for doubleheaders. This season, 12 of TNT’s 31 doubleheaders and 22 of ESPN’s 36 doubleheaders will tip off at 7:30/10 p.m. ET or 7/9:30 p.m. ET instead of 8/10:30 p.m. ET. The number of doubleheaders at 8 p.m./10:30 p.m. ET on the two networks has been reduced by a combined 42 percent from last season (57 in 2018-19 compared with 33 in 2019-20).
- TNT: The 8 p.m./10:30 p.m. ET starts for TNT’s Tuesday doubleheaders have been reduced from nine last season to two this season. Of the network’s 12 Tuesday doubleheaders this season, nine will begin at 7:30 p.m./10 p.m. ET and one will tip off at 7 p.m./9:30 p.m. ET.
- ESPN: There will be no 8 p.m./10:30 p.m. ET Wednesday doubleheaders on ESPN this season, down from 18 last season. Of the network’s 21 Wednesday doubleheaders this season, 15 are scheduled for 7:30 p.m./10 p.m. ET and six are set for 7 p.m./9:30 p.m. ET.
- Instances of teams playing games on back-to-back days will be an all-time low for the fifth straight season. Teams will play an average of 12.4back-to-backs in the 2019-20 season, down 36 percent since the 2014-15 season (19.3 per team) and a 7 percent reduction from last season (13.3 per team).
- For the third season in a row, no team is scheduled to play a stretch with four games in five days.
- A record 48 games will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 24 games each on Saturday and Sunday. Those regions will have a full slate of primetime games on both Saturday and Sunday for the first time.
- The NBA will again label its schedule by week to enhance fans’ ability to follow the 1,230-game regular season. Starting with Week 1 and ending with Week 26, each week will run Monday through Sunday.
- The NBA on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV will present flexible scheduling throughout the regular season to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience.
- The fifth season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will premiere on Jan. 18 (see below for more).
KIA NBA TIP-OFF 2019
The first five days of the 2019-20 season (Oct. 22-26) will showcase 16 different teams playing 11 national television games across TNT, ESPN and NBA TV as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2019.
Tuesday, Oct. 22: TNT Doubleheader
TNT will have an opening-night doubleheader for the 24th consecutive season, marking Turner Sports’ 36th straight year of NBA coverage.
- New Orleans at Toronto (8 p.m. ET): The defending NBA champion Raptors receive their championship rings and unveil their banner for the 2018-19 season before facing the Pelicans in the debut of New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm.
- Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET): Six-time All-Star Anthony Davis makes his Lakers debut and four-time Kia NBA MVP LeBron James opens his 17th season in a matchup with the Clippers, now with 2019 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and six-time All-Star Paul George.
Wednesday, Oct. 23: ESPN Doubleheader
ESPN will tip off its 18th consecutive year of NBA coverage with the following doubleheader:
ESPN will tip off its 18th consecutive year of NBA coverage with the following doubleheader:
· Boston at Philadelphia (7:30 p.m.): Five-time All-Star Al Horford of the 76ers and three-time All-Star Kemba Walker of the Celtics debut with their respective teams.
· Denver at Portland (10 p.m.): The Trail Blazers and Nuggets meet in a rematch of their dramatic seven-game series in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals. Portland has won an NBA-record 18 straight home regular-season openers.
Thursday, Oct. 24: TNT Doubleheader
· Milwaukee at Houston (8 p.m.): The three most recent Kia NBA MVP Award winners are in action as 2016-17 winner Russell Westbrook makes his Rockets debut alongside 2017-18 winner James Harden against last season’s top regular-season team, led by reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
· LA Clippers at Golden State (10:30 p.m.): Two-time Kia NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors play their first regular-season game at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Friday, Oct. 25: ESPN Doubleheader
· Dallas at New Orleans (8 p.m.): The new-look Pelicans’ home debut this season comes against 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Luka Dončić and the Mavericks.
· Utah at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m.): Two-time reigning Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and the Jazz are one of five teams to win at least 48 games in each of the last three seasons.
Saturday, Oct. 26: NBA TV Tripleheader
· Miami at Milwaukee (5 p.m.): Four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler’s first road game with the Heat is in Milwaukee, where he starred in college at Marquette.
- Boston at New York (7:30 p.m.): RJ Barrett, the No. 3 overall pick in NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm, makes his home debut with the Knicks.
- LA Clippers at Phoenix (10 p.m.): Leonard and the Suns’ Devin Booker both averaged 26.6 points per game last season.
CHRISTMAS DAY
The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25 in Week 10) for the 12th year in a row. ABC or ESPN will televise all five matchups during the 72nd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day.
- Boston at Toronto (12 p.m., ESPN): The Raptors host a Christmas Day game for the first time.
- Milwaukee at Philadelphia (2:30 p.m., ABC): The 76ers last hosted a Christmas game in 1988.
- Houston at Golden State (5 p.m., ABC): The rivals have met in the playoffs in four of the last five years.
- LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m., ESPN/ABC): The Lakers have won an NBA-record 23 games on Christmas.
- New Orleans at Denver (10:30 p.m., ESPN): The Nuggets’ last Christmas home game was 25 years ago.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
A TNT tripleheader and an NBA TV matinee will highlight the schedule on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20 during Week 14.
· Toronto at Atlanta (2:30 p.m., NBA TV): Five-time All-Star Kyle Lowry of the Raptors and 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection Trae Young of the Hawks are two of the four NBA players to average at least 8.0 assists per game last season.
- New Orleans at Memphis (5 p.m., TNT): The Grizzlies’ 17th Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game marks the first matchup between the top two picks in NBA Draft 2019, Williamson and Morant.
- Los Angeles Lakers at Boston (7:30 p.m., TNT): In last season’s meeting in Boston, Rajon Rondo’s buzzer-beating jump shot gave the Lakers a 129-128 victory over the Celtics.
- Golden State at Portland (10 p.m., TNT): The Warriors and Trail Blazers have squared off in the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, including the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
NBA on TNT
TNT will televise 19 Thursday doubleheaders and 12 Tuesday doubleheaders during the 2019-20 season. All TNT games will be streamed live viatntdrama.com/watchtnt and the Watch TNT App.
TNT’s schedule includes:
· Week 3: Boston at Charlotte (Thursday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.) – The Celtics’ Walker, who is Charlotte’s all-time leader in points and three-pointers made, returns to Spectrum Center.
· Week 12: Houston at Oklahoma City (Thursday, Jan. 9, 9:30 p.m.) – Westbrook, an eight-time All-Star with the Thunder, plays his first game at Oklahoma City as a member of the Rockets.
· Week 20: Toronto at Golden State (Thursday, March 5, 10:30 p.m.) – The Raptors and Warriors meet for the first time since the NBA Finals 2019 presented by YouTube TV.
In addition to its regular-season coverage, TNT will air NBA All-Star 2020 events from Feb. 14-16 in Chicago, culminating with the 69th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 16.
TNT will also exclusively televise the 2020 Western Conference Finals.
NBA on ESPN
ESPN will present 21 Wednesday doubleheaders and 15 Friday doubleheaders this season. All ESPN and ABC telecasts will be available via the ESPN App.
ESPN’s schedule includes:
· Week 4: Utah at Memphis (Friday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m.) – This marks the return to Memphis for the Jazz’s Mike Conley, who is the Grizzlies’ career leader in points, assists, steals and games played.
· Week 6: Brooklyn at Boston; Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans (Wednesday, Nov. 27) – Nets guard Irving’s return to Boston (7 p.m.) is followed by Lakers forward Davis’ return to New Orleans (9:30 p.m.).
· Week 8: LA Clippers at Toronto (Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.) – Leonard and the Clippers make their one regular-season visit to Toronto.
ESPN will be the exclusive network of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals.
NBA on ABC
In addition to its Christmas Day telecasts, ABC will have the following regular-season series:
- NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC: The fifth season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will feature nine games, each scheduled to air at 8:30 p.m. ET. The series will tip off on Jan. 18 (Week 13) with the Lakers visiting the Rockets and conclude on April 11 (Week 25) with the Clippers hosting the Warriors.
- NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC: ABC will air six Sunday afternoon games, starting on Feb. 2 (Week 15) with the Pelicans taking on the Rockets in Houston (2 p.m.) and concluding on April 5 (Week 24) with the Bucks visiting the Celtics (3:30 p.m.).
ABC will also televise the NBA Finals 2020 presented by YouTube TV – its 18th straight season as the exclusive home of The Finals.
NBA on NBA TV
All 30 NBA teams are scheduled to appear multiple times on NBA TV in the 2019-20 season.
NBA TV’s schedule includes:
- Week 8: NBA Mexico City Games 2019 (Saturday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m.) – Phoenix and San Antonio play the second of the NBA’s two games in Mexico City during the 2019-20 season.
- Week 9: LA Clippers at Oklahoma City (Sunday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m.) – George and the Clippers make the first of two regular-season visits to Oklahoma City to take on nine-time All-Star Chris Paul and the Thunder.
- Week 14: NBA Paris Game 2020 presented by beIN SPORTS (Friday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m.) – Charlotte and Milwaukee meet in the NBA’s first regular-season game in France.
NBA on ESPN RADIO
ESPN Radio will air 25 games during the regular season, including Lakers vs. Clippers on opening night and Warriors vs. Rockets and Lakers vs. Clippers on Christmas Day. It will also provide coverage from NBA All-Star 2020 and present NBA Finals 2020.
NBA EXPERIENCE GRAND OPENING IS A SLAM DUNK AT
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
NBA and WNBA players to officially unveil first-of-its-kind destination at Disney Springs
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2019) – It was a championship-worthy celebration Monday morning at Disney Springs for the grand opening of NBA Experience. Amid cheering fans and celebrity guests, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first-of-its-kind destination, joined onstage by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several current and former NBA and WNBA players.
“NBA Experience lets everybody who loves the game, live it,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “We’re excited to open the doors to a fun and unique experience for fans of all ages.”
Those in attendance Monday were treated to a buoyant atmosphere reminiscent of a basketball arena, complete with a DJ, T-shirt tosses, fan-cam and a dance performance, hosted by ESPN personality Rachel Nichols. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cheered as confetti rained down toward the end of the ceremonial opening, which featured Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Grant Hill, along with NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem and WNBA legend Swin Cash, now the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans.
“I want to thank Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Imagineering team for capturing the authentic NBA experience at this landmark destination at Disney Springs,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Disney creates memorable experiences better than anyone, and we are thrilled to share the excitement of NBA basketball with fans and Walt Disney World guests from around the world.”
In collaboration with the NBA, Walt Disney Imagineering developed NBA Experience as an immersive, interactive venue. The high-energy environment is packed with 13 different basketball-related activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.
Upon entry, guests feel as if they’re walking through the players’ tunnel at an NBA or WNBA arena. Visitors can experience what it’s like to be selected in the NBA Draft and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight-worthy slam dunks. NBA Experience also provides ample opportunities to learn more about the NBA and WNBA via interactive displays, films and trivia. The unique destination offers something for guests of all ages.
A ticket to NBA Experience grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose, and they can return to stations throughout the day to improve performance or learn even more about the game, players and teams they love. They can also customize many of their experiences to showcase their favorite NBA or WNBA teams. The adjacent NBA Store offers official NBA apparel, collectibles and more, along with Disney products designed specifically for NBA Experience.
NBA Experience is the latest collaboration between Walt Disney World Resort and the NBA. The day before the NBA Experience grand opening, the second annual Jr. NBA Global Championship concluded at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, which featured the top 13- and 14-year-old youth boys and girls basketball teams from around the world. Walt Disney World Resort also has a long-standing relationship with the Orlando Magic and the NBA.
For more information and to download high-resolution images and video of NBA Experience, visit WDWNews.com orDisneySportsNews.com.
EMBIID, BOSH, BROGDON, DENG AND DIENG HEADLINE
BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS AFRICA 2019 IN SENEGAL
- 17th Basketball Without Borders Africa Camp Will Bring Together
Top 60 Boys and Girls Ages 17 and Under from 29 African Countries -
JOHANNESBURG AND NEW YORK, July 19, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Senegalese Basketball Federation today announced the top 60 boys and girls ages 17 and under from 29 African countries who will participate in the 17th edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa when the camp returns to Senegal from Sunday, July 28 – Wednesday, July 31.
BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, will be held at The NBA Academy Africa in Saly on July 28 and at Dakar Arena from July 29-31, with NIKE serving as the official partner.
The campers will be coached by former and current NBA players, including two-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), two-time NBA Champion Chris Bosh (U.S.), 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon (Indiana Pacers; U.S.), two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng (most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves; South Sudan), Ed Davis (most recently with the Brooklyn Nets; U.S.), Gorgui Dieng (Timberwolves; Senegal; BWB Africa 2009), Luc Mbah a Moute (most recently with the LA Clippers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2003), Tacko Fall (Boston Celtics; Senegal), Makhtar Ndiaye (former NBA player; Senegal), Boniface Ndong (former NBA player; Senegal) and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Joining the NBA players will be 2003 WNBA Champion and NBA Academy Africa Associate Technical Director, Astou Ndiaye (Senegal); Mozambique basketball legend and former WNBA player, Clarisse Machanguana (Mozambique); former NBA player and Philadelphia 76ers General Manager, Elton Brand (U.S.); former NBA player and Capital City Go-Go General Manager, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (UK/Ghana); and former NBA player and 76ers Technical Scout, Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (Cameroon).
NBA head coaches Kenny Atkinson (Nets), Doc Rivers (Clippers) and David Fizdale (New York Knicks), and current NBA assistant coaches DeSagana Diop (Utah Jazz; Senegal), B.J. Johnson (Houston Rockets), Vince Legarza (Jazz), Patrick Mutombo (Toronto Raptors) and Miles Simon (LA Lakers), will also serve as BWB Africa 2019 coaches. Raptors President Masai Ujiri (Nigeria) and World Association of Basketball Coaches President and FIBA Technical Commission Chair Patrick Hunt (Australia) will be the camp directors. A number of NBA front office personnel will also participate.
Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including movement efficiency, positional skill development, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication. One boy and one girl will be named BWB Africa Camp Most Valuable Players at the conclusion of the camp.
NIKE, a global partner of BWB since 2002, will outfit the campers and coaches with NIKE apparel and footwear.
Through NBA Cares and the Jr. NBA, BWB Africa community outreach efforts in Senegal will use the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and values of the game like teamwork, integrity and respect. In partnership with BWB Africa’s longstanding partner Hoops 4 Hope, campers, players, and coaches will take part in two interactive life skills seminars designed to teach leadership and communication skills and share information about HIV/AIDS prevention.
Highlighting the week’s community efforts, the NBA and SEED Project will host a dedication ceremony for two newly refurbished courts in the Ndiareme Limamoulaye district of Guediawaye in Dakar on Monday, July 29, as well as basketball clinics for local boys and girls. In addition, a group will visit the S.O.S. Children’s Villages in Dakar to tour the facilities and participate in a variety of activities with children and families living there.
The NBA and FIBA have staged 59 BWB camps in 38 cities in 30 countries on six continents. BWB has hosted more than 3,500 participants from 129 countries and territories. More than 290 current and former NBA and WNBA players have joined more than 240 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams, with 68 former BWB campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents.
The following is a complete list of players participating in the 17th BWB Africa Camp:
GIRLS ROSTER:
Last Name
|
First Name
|
Country
|
Goncalves
|
Tcheuzia
|
Angola
|
Delgado
|
Paula
|
Cape Verde
|
Essome Amana
|
Karel Vanessa
|
Cameroon
|
Lukusa Enkawa
|
Mabelle
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Nasr
|
Zeina
|
Egypt
|
Edan Aworet
|
Ilris
|
Gabon
|
Touré
|
Khadija
|
Ivory Coast
|
Desiree Konan
|
Affoue Emmanuella
|
Ivory Coast
|
Matshine
|
Doris
|
Mozambique
|
Tamele
|
Tania
|
Mozambique
|
Fredricks
|
Victory
|
Nigeria
|
Funke Zaccheaus
|
Oluwatunmise
|
Nigeria
|
Oladipupo
|
Opeyemi Balkis
|
Nigeria
|
Sifa
|
Ineza
|
Rwanda
|
Tal
|
Aminata
|
Senegal
|
Dieng
|
Fatou
|
Senegal
|
Diop
|
Mareme
|
Senegal
|
Diatta
|
Bineta
|
Senegal
|
Apoudjak
|
Yasmine
|
Togo
|
Aharh
|
Nougan Reana
|
Togo
|
BOYS ROSTER:
Last Name
|
First Name
|
Country
|
Anis
|
Ghouar Mohamed
|
Algeria
|
Seibou Aborney-Calavi
|
Arzika Meyaki
|
Benin
|
Zoungrana
|
Ezzedine Steve Makieti
|
Burkina Faso
|
Simo
|
Ngoufanke Anthony
|
Cameroon
|
Herve Junior
|
Dzukam Kenmou
|
Cameroon
|
Ngopot
|
Jerry Dieu Beni
|
Central African Republic
|
Outmane
|
Oumar Abakar
|
Chad
|
Numbi
|
Mike Matunga
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Ngalamulume
|
Jonathan Kalonji
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
Abdelaty Abdalatib
|
Mohab Yasser
|
Egypt
|
Ehab
|
Yehya
|
Egypt
|
Abdalaty Abdallatif
|
Mohab Yasser
|
Egypt
|
Ndoh Mapangou
|
Andy Paul Darel
|
Gabon
|
Adamu
|
Muazibini Jabal
|
Ghana
|
Sylla
|
Thierno Mamoudou
|
Guinea
|
Doua
|
Christ
|
Ivory Coast
|
Okeyo
|
Ricky Omondi
|
Kenya
|
Heritiana
|
Safidy
|
Madagascar
|
Diop
|
Mamoudou
|
Mali
|
Hamza
|
Ghoulial
|
Morocco
|
Magagule
|
Mucombo Samuel
|
Mozambique
|
Ojianwuna
|
Joshua
|
Nigeria
|
Ariybi
|
Oluwatobi Samuel
|
Nigeria
|
Abodunrin
|
Olusola John
|
Nigeria
|
Okpene
|
Emmanuel Eneji
|
Nigeria
|
Shabakuru
|
David
|
Rwanda
|
Faye
|
Babacar
|
Senegal
|
Dieng
|
Khadim
|
Senegal
|
Mboup
|
Moustapha
|
Senegal
|
Sow
|
Cheick
|
Senegal
|
Lombie
|
Henry Tilima James
|
Sierra Leone
|
Ozabor
|
Joshua Eromosele
|
South Africa
|
Oelofse
|
Jan-Cloete
|
South Africa
|
Deng
|
Deng Dhieu Kuac
|
South Sudan
|
Jok
|
Alier Kuol Alier
|
South Sudan
|
Dielic
|
Marial Mayom Malek
|
South Sudan
|
Maiga
|
Daudi Zabion
|
Tanzania
|
Ben Zakour
|
Ahmed Rayen
|
Tunisia
|
Medini
|
Mohamed Youssef
|
Tunisia
|
Gumbo
|
Nyasha Joseph
|
Zimbabwe
|
NBA AND FIVE-TIME NBA ALL-STAR AL HORFORD OF THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS TEAM UP TO
LAUNCH FIRST JR. NBA CAMP IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- 108 Local Youth to Participate in Jr. NBA Camp July 25-27 at
the Carol Morgan School in Santo Domingo-
NEW YORK, AND SANTO DOMINGO, July 17, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and five-time NBA All-Star Al Horford of the Philadelphia 76ers, announced today the launch of the first Jr. NBA camp in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The three-day camp will host 108 local boys and girls (ages 14-16) from under-served communities across the Dominican Republic selected by Horford’s non-profit organization, La Tribu de Quisqueya.
The Jr. NBA camp will be held at the Carol Morgan School (CMS) – an international school which empowers students to become leaders of a multicultural, global society and will be supported by NBA partners, Altice, Banco Popular, Gatorade and Spalding.
The camp format, led by the NBA and Horford, will feature on-court drills, competitions and scrimmages, along with life skills sessions run by NBA coaches, trainers and staff to instill core values consistent with Jr. NBA principles. Joining Horford at the camp will be 76ers player development coach Drew Jones, who joined the organization from the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer. He played collegiately at Penn State University and then professionally overseas in Ukraine, Greece and Slovakia.
“The first Jr. NBA camp in the Dominican Republic continues to build on our efforts and commitment to growing basketball throughout Latin America,” said NBA Sr. Vice President & Managing Director, Latin America Arnon de Mello. “Along with Al Horford and our partners we are very proud to bring this event to Santo Domingo and look forward to providing an exciting and fun environment for youth to learn and play the game.”
“It is a great honor for me to be able to team up with the Jr. NBA to help continue develop basketball talent in my native Dominican Republic,” said Horford. “I look forward to providing a fun, competitive and engaging three days for these youngsters.”
“We are honored to open our doors for the Jr. NBA camp in the Dominican Republic,” said CMS Head of School, Nicolaas Mostert. “We strongly believe in the benefit of sports and youth development.”
The Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community – at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. During the 2018-19 season, the NBA and its teams are reaching more than 51M youth in 75 countries through league play, in-school programming, clinics, skills challenges, and other outreach events.
For more information about the NBA, fans can visit NBA.com, Facebook.com/NBA and @NBA on Twitter. Fans can download the NBA App for news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos and more.
– Replay Center Lead Joe Borgia Transitions to Focus on Newly-Approved Coach’s Challenge –
NEW YORK, July 12, 2019 – The NBA announced today that Jason Phillips, a top-rated referee with 19 seasons of officiating experience in the league, has been named Replay Center Operations Principal.
In his new role, Phillips will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, N.J. His Referee Operations duties will include creating training videos and interpreting the rules of the game for officials, teams, broadcasters and media.
“We are excited to add an experienced and highly-respected official in Jason to our operations staff,” said NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell. “We look forward to the continued success of the Replay Center under his leadership.”
Phillips will be assisted in the Replay Center by Senior Lead Pete Williams, who has been a member of the Replay Center staff since September 2014. In addition to game oversight, Williams creates training curricula, establishes protocol and assigns nightly responsibilities for all Replay Center personnel.
Phillips will succeed Senior Vice President, Replay and Referee Operations Joe Borgia, who has served the NBA for 30 years as a game official and a basketball and referee operations executive. Borgia was instrumental in the creation, design and implementation of the NBA’s state-of-the-art Replay Center.
Borgia will refocus his efforts and role with the NBA on the newly-created and recently-approved Coach’s Challenge. As he did with the Replay Center, Borgia will develop the rules and handle the execution of this important initiative.
“Joe’s background, knowledge and experience make him a natural fit to lead the introduction and application of the Coach’s Challenge,” said Spruell. “After years of having Joe oversee the Replay Center nightly, we’re grateful that he will continue serving the NBA in such a pivotal role.”
Phillips, 49, has officiated more than 1,100 regular-season games since joining the NBA for the 2000-01 season. He has also worked 94 NBA playoff games, including nine games in The Finals. He finished his on-court career officiating Games 1 and 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
“After 19 years of experiencing NBA excitement on the court with the best officials in the world, I look forward to the new challenge of heading up the NBA Replay Center and working alongside the great people who help support our game on a daily basis,” said Phillips.
A native of Cisco, Texas, Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Tarleton State University.
NBA ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF NBA TEAM PARTNERSHIP AND
NBA TICKET SALES & SERVICE AWARDS FOR 2018-19 SEASON
Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs and
New Orleans Pelicans Honored at 2019 NBA Revenue & Analytics Workshop in Las Vegas
NEW YORK, July 11, 2019 – The NBA recognized outstanding achievement in team marketing and business operations yesterday when it presented the NBA Team Partnership Awards and the NBA Ticket Sales & Service Awards for the 2018-19 season during itsRevenue & Analytics Workshop in Las Vegas.
The Toronto Raptors won the NBA Team Partnership of the Year Award and the Phoenix Suns received the inaugural NBA Changemaker of the Year Award as part of the NBA Team Partnership Awards. The Minnesota Timberwolves earned the NBA Event of the Year Award, the San Antonio Spurs were honored with the NBA New Sales Campaign of the Year Award, and the New Orleans Pelicans received the NBA Group Sales Program of the Year Award as part of the NBA Ticket Sales & Service Awards.
All 30 teams were invited to submit for each category, with the winners chosen by both NBA league executives and a Finalists Committee comprised of team representatives.
“We honor the winners of the 2019 NBA Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards for setting a new standard of excellence in fan engagement, creative partnerships and innovative programming, all of which enhanced the fan experience throughout the season,” said Amy Brooks, NBA President, Team Marketing & Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer.
NBA Partnership of the Year
The Raptors won the NBA Partnership Award for their multifaceted program with McDonald’s. The partnership centered on Beyond the Arch, a campaign in which fans won a medium order of French fries when the team made 12 three-pointers in a game. To be eligible, fans download the McDonald’s App for a digital coupon to redeem the fries, resulting in 2 million redemptions representing 36 percent of all McDonald’s App transaction in Ontario. Promoted on digital and social platforms, co-branded French fries’ boxes and in arena, it featured the Beyond the Arch: The Game within the Raptors App that gave fans a chance to win prizes if they made 12 virtual-reality baskets during the game.
In addition, the Raptors and McDonald’s created the Raptors Nugget 20-Pack, a co-branded box with a basket-style pouch to hold dipping sauces. Promoted through unique branded content featuring Raptors forward OG Anunoby, the campaign encouraged fans to share their #Nuggetiquette on social media and resulted in a 21 percent lift in all McNugget sales during the regular season.
Finalists for the NBA Partnership of the Year Award included the Minnesota Timberwolves for their Partnership with Target and the New York Knicks for their partnership with Squarespace.
NBA Changemaker of the Year
The Suns were honored with the NBA Changemaker of the Year Award for their partnership with PayPal. Built on their jersey patch deal, the partnership brought the Suns into the financial technology space with PayPal being integrated into the customer journey from box office tickets, cashless garage entry, merchandise, SixthMan season ticket renewals, mobile entry, mobile wallet, express orders in-arena, concession fast lanes and 50/50 raffles.
The partnership generated new PayPal users, increased PayPal’s Total Payment Volume and helped PayPal drive multiple products (banking, credit card & financing) to deepen connections with its customers. PayPal's partnership with the Suns helped drive an additional $5 billion in transactions through their products. The Suns benefitted by integrating PayPal services as a seamless payment option.
The Portland Trail Blazers (Brew Dr.) and the Sacramento Kings (MGM) were also finalists for the NBA Changemaker of the Year Award.
NBA Event of the Year
The Timberwolves received the 2019 NBA Event of the Year Award for their “2019 Member Party.” Held at Paisley Park, home of the late musician and Minnesota native Prince, the event capitalized on the team’s Prince-themed Nike city-edition jerseys while providing members with a memorable experience.
More than 600 attendees had the chance to go on a private tour of Prince’s estate, take pictures with Timberwolves players and watch a live performance of St. Paul and the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars.
Finalists for the NBA Team Event of the Year award included the Cleveland Cavaliers for their Locker Room Dinner Series and the Boston Celtics for their Season Ticket Member Hall of Fame Dinner.
NBA New Sales Campaign of the Year
The Spurs received the 2019 NBA New Sales Campaign of the Year Award for their “2018-19 Ticket Sales Campaign.” The team transformed their sales and service strategy by prioritizing the development of people, culture, efficiency and new product development. As part of this campaign, the Spurs restructured their sales and service division, invested heavily in sales enablement technology, and created new flexible ticketing products such as the Spurscription and Spurs Passport. These changes led to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates, and the highest overall ticket revenue generated in franchise history.
The other finalists for the NBA Sales Campaign of the Year Award were the Sacramento Kings for their Kings Pass flexible ticketing product and the LA Clippers for their Courtside Launch Campaign.
NBA Group Sales Program of the Year
The Pelicans received the 2019 NBA Group Sales Program of the Year award for their “2018-19 STEMfest” on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. The STEMfest took place at the Smoothie King Center and Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where more than 6,000 attendees took part in science, technology, engineering and math related activities from over 100 different vendors. All attendees received a ticket to a Pelicans game. Presented by Chevron, STEMfest exceeded sales goals and provided an educational experience for fans.
The other finalists for the NBA Group Sales Program of the Year were the Charlotte Hornets for Career in Sports Day and the Philadelphia 76ers for their Barber Appreciation Night.
The following was just released.
Online Press Kit:
NBA ANNOUNCES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NEX TEAM’S HOMECOURT APP
-- NBA Makes Strategic Investment in Revolutionary
Basketball Training and Development App, HomeCourt --
-- NEX Team and the NBA will Use HomeCourt’s Breakthrough Technology to
Democratize Access to Elite Analytics for Basketball Players of All Levels --
NEW YORK, July 11, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a strategic partnership and equity stakewith NEX Team Inc., a leading mobile artificial intelligence company and the developer of HomeCourt, a mobile basketball training application that uses advanced machine learning and computer vision to unlock potential in every player.
Launched in July 2018, HomeCourt combines proven training concepts with advanced artificial intelligence to provide real-time analytics that help players of any skill level advance their game. HomeCourt calculates shot accuracy, progress over time, and key performance metrics such as speed, vertical jump, release time and ball handling. Most importantly, HomeCourt creates an entirely new basketball experience that is fun, engaging, and accessible.
“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with the NBA to bring the HomeCourt experience to a global basketball audience,” said David Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of NEX Team. “Together, we look forward to designing innovative experiences that bring together the digital and physical worlds that will build community and engage basketball players at every level, everywhere.”
With the HomeCourt app, players will feel like they are in their own real-world video game. Along with original HomeCourt drills, contests, and challenges, players of all ages and levels will be able to compete in NBA-themed challenges and share their progress with the app’s global basketball community.
Beginning today, HomeCourt will offer three NBA challenges, including a shooting contest, ball handling contest, and achievement badges. Additional interactive training drills, challenges and joint initiatives will be developed in partnership with the NBA and its teams during key events throughout the NBA season. HomeCourt will also collaborate on opportunities at marquee league events such as MGM Resorts NBA Summer League and Jr. NBA Global Championship, and during elite youth programming like Basketball Without Borders and the NBA Academies.
“NBA teams and players have already found HomeCourt to be an important training platform and we believe this technology is critical to the development of players of all levels,” said Amy Brooks, President, Team Marketing & Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer, NBA. “HomeCourt is not only an engaging channel for youth basketball players, but will also be a valuable tool for the NBA to identify talent globally.”
“As professional basketball players, we know how important it is to have the right training tools and basketball knowledge to fully develop your game,” said two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. “Our group of athlete investors all wonder what we could have done with this type of technology when we were learning the game, and are excited to help the next generation of aspiring basketball players reach their potential with HomeCourt.”
A new version of HomeCourt with these unique NBA experiences is available on the App Store for download today, and includes new training drills featuring Nash, and winner of the 2019 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA NAMES KATE JHAVERI NEW
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
NEW YORK, July 11, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that Kate Jhaveri, current CMO of Twitch and a former marketing executive at Twitter, Facebook and Microsoft, has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer of the NBA. Jhaveri, who begins with the NBA on August 15, will report to NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.
As NBA Chief Marketing Officer, Jhaveri will be responsible for leading the global marketing operations for the NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League, including the development of innovative marketing campaigns and brand messaging across all platforms to connect with fans and grow the game of basketball around the world. Additionally, she will oversee the consumer insights and analytics departments to enhance the NBA’s consumer data strategy and implement new marketing programs.
At Twitch, Jhaveri established the platform as the leader in live, interactive content. Establishing Twitch’s brand strategy, Jhaveri led a global team of 90 employees and was responsible for growing, engaging and retaining the brand’s core audiences of more than 15 million daily active viewers and more than three million unique content creators each month.
Prior to Twitch, Jhaveri was Head of Consumer Marketing at Twitter, where she managed all consumer-facing campaigns that drove increased user growth, engagement and brand relevance with consumers worldwide. Jhaveri also previously served as Head of Brand Marketing at Facebook and spent seven years at Microsoft overseeing the worldwide Marketing Communications team for Windows, Internet Explorer and bing.com. Earlier in her career, she was Manager of Corporate Strategy at Dell.
“Kate is an industry leader who has an excellent record in creating successful marketing strategies for some of the most renowned companies in the world,” said Tatum. “We are looking forward to adding Kate to our team and having her lead our marketing efforts to further reach and engage our global fanbase.”
“I am thrilled to join the NBA and bring my experiences in both digital and traditional marketing to develop new and innovative ways to continue the global growth of the league,” said Jhaveri. “The NBA has an incredibly passionate fanbase, and I look forward to utilizing their perspectives to best drive our strategic direction.”
Jhaveri serves as secretary of the national board for Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She received her MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in 2003 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from College of the Holy Cross in 1995. Originally from Baltimore, Jhaveri is married and has two children.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
2019 TEX WINTER ASSISTANT COACH LIFETIME IMPACT AWARD TO NBA COACHING VETERAN BILL BERTKA
Las Vegas, July 10, 2019—Bill Bertka, a basketball lifer and a pioneering proponent of film study, advance scouting and player development, is the 2019 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award winner, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced today.
“Bill Bertka is an NBA coaching legend and a true basketball lifer,” said Dallas Mavericks Head Coach and National Basketball Coaches Association President Rick Carlisle. “He is extremely passionate about his craft and has coached and mentored so many of our great NBA players from Wilt Chamberlain to Kobe Bryant.Congratulations to Coach Bertka on this prestigious recognition.”
"I am honored and proud to have been selected for the Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award by a committee of my coaching peers, said Coach Bill Bertka.” “I am sincerely grateful to the National Basketball Coaches Association for this recognition."
Bertka began his NBA career in 1968 when the Los Angeles Lakers hired him to scout college players for the NBA Draft, making him the first full-time scout in league history. He and his wife, Solveig, had started a college scouting service in the mid-60s and it grew to become an industry leader before shuttering in 1991. Under Head Coach Bill Sharman, Bertka began working with players while also adding advance scouting duties.
In 1974 Bertka left the Lakers to become the first General Manager of the New Orleans Jazz. He also served as a Jazz assistant coach under Elgin Baylor.
In 1981 when Pat Riley became Head Coach, he brought Bertka back to the Lakers as his first Assistant, and Bertka has worked for the Lakers ever since, as an Assistant Coach, Director of Scouting, Special Assistant to the General Manager and Basketball Consultant. All told, 45 of his 52 years in the NBA have been with the Lakers. He has worked with 17 different Lakers Head Coaches and has coached greats from Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and beyond. He has ten NBA Championship rings and his teams made a total of 20 trips to the NBA Finals.
Prior to the NBA, Bertka was a Head Coach at three different colleges, including a four-year stint at his alma mater, Kent State.
Bertka, who will turn 92 on August 8, has been inducted into the Santa Barbara Sports Hall of Fame (1989), the Summit County (OH) Sports Hall of Fame (1989), the Kent State University Sports Hall of Fame, (2004) and the Santa Barbara Basketball Court of Champions (2014).
“Assistant Coaches often operate behind the scenes and may not receive public recognition for their team's success. However, if you ask any Head Coach, they would say that their team could not operate without the hard work of these men and women,” said National Basketball Coaches Association Executive Director David S. Fogel. “Coach Bertka certainly exemplifies these values on and off the court, and his tireless work ethic has led to successful seasons throughout his coaching career. Congratulations to Coach Bertka, this honor is well deserved.”
The National Basketball Coaches Association Tex Winter Lifetime Achievement Award honors the tremendous achievements and commitment of Hall of Famer Tex Winter, who over an outstanding NBA coaching career set a standard of integrity, competitive excellence, loyalty and tireless promotion of NBA basketball. This year’s award recognizes the extraordinary contributions Bill Bertka has made to the sport throughout his NBA career through building a body of work that has had a positive and powerful impact on the NBA coaching profession. Coach Bertka embodies the high standards and leadership philosophies that Tex Winter brought to the game.
The National Basketball Coaches Association Tex Winter Lifetime Impact Award is selected annually by the Award Selection Committee, comprised of some of the most respected coaches and executives in the game, including Rick Adelman, Hubie Brown, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry, Danny Ferry, Mike Fratello, George Karl, Doc Rivers, Rod Thorn and Lenny Wilkens.
Prior recipients are Tim Grgurich (2018), Ron Rothstein (2017) and Phil Johnson (2016).
LAS VEGAS, July 9, 2019 – The NBA Board of Governors today unanimously approved two changes to the instant replay rules.
The first change is the introduction of a Coach’s Challenge to trigger instant replay review of a limited set of matters. A version of the Coach’s Challenge that has been in effect in the NBA G League for the last two seasons and is being used at MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2019 will be adopted in the NBA on a one-year trial basis during the 2019-20 season.
The second change enables the NBA Replay Center (in addition to the on-court referees) to trigger instant replay in certain circumstances. This process, which was successfully tested at MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 and is being used again at this year’s event, will be implemented for the 2019-20 NBA season.
“These initiatives further strengthen our officiating program and help referees make the right call,” said NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell. “Giving head coaches a voice will enhance the confidence in our replay process among teams and fans and add a new, exciting strategic element to our game. Enabling the NBA Replay Center to trigger instant replay will improve game flow and provide real-time awareness of any adjustments to the score.”
Coach’s Challenge
Key features of the Coach’s Challenge are below:
- Each team is entitled to one challenge in the game (regardless of whether the challenge is successful).
- A team can use its challenge in the following instances: a called personal foul charged to its own team; a called out-of-bounds violation; or a called goaltending or basket interference violation.
- A team can use its challenge on a called personal foul at any point in the game.
- In the last two minutes of the fourth period or the last two minutes of overtime, a called out-of-bounds violation or called goaltending/basket interference violation will not be challengeable and instead will be exclusively triggered by on-court referees.
- To initiate a challenge, a team must immediately call a legal timeout and the head coach must immediately signal for a challenge by twirling his/her finger toward the referees.
- If a team attempts to challenge an event with no remaining timeouts, the team is charged an excessive timeout, for which the penalty is a technical foul, and no challenge will take place.
- If a team calls a timeout to challenge an event that may not be reviewed, the team will be charged a timeout but retain its challenge.
- As with other replay reviews, in order to overturn the event as called on the floor, there must be clear and conclusive visual evidence that the call was incorrect.
NBA Replay Center Triggers
In the first 46 minutes of the game and the first three minutes of overtime, the NBA Replay Center will be able to trigger instant replay of the following events:
- 2-Point or 3-Point Field Goals – i.e., whether a made field goal should count as two or three points or, in the event of a shooting foul, whether the offensive player should be awarded two or three free throws for being fouled on a shot attempt.
- Potential Shot Clock Violations – i.e., whether a successful field goal was attempted before or after the shot clock expired.
A new “courtside administrator,” hired and supervised by the League Office, will be stationed at the scorer’s table to facilitate and expedite communication between the NBA Replay Center and the on-court referees. The courtside administrator will not have any decision-making authority with respect to officiating calls or replay determinations.
The NBA’s Competition Committee recommended the two changes to the instant replay rules before the Board of Governors’ vote.
GRIZZLIES’ BRUNO CABOCLO, NUGGETS’ JAMAL MURRAY
TO COACH TOP PROSPECTS AT FIRST
BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS CAMP IN COLOMBIA
- 10th Basketball Without Borders Americas Camp Will Bring Together
Top 64 High-School Age Boys and Girls from 18 Countries and Territories
Across Latin America and the Caribbean -
- Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations and Colombia-Native
Gersson Rosas To Serve as Camp Director -
NEW YORK AND MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA, June 19, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Colombian Basketball Federation (FCB) today announced the top 64 boys and girls from 18 countries and territories who will travel to Medellin, Colombia for the 10th Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Americas camp. The camp will be held Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27 at The Ivan de Bedout Coliseo in Medellin, marking the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in Colombia.
BWB Americas 2019 will bring together the top male and female players ages 17 and under from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to learn directly from current and former NBA and FIBA players and coaches and to compete against the best young players from the region.
Current NBA players and former BWB campers Bruno Caboclo (Memphis Grizzlies; Brazil; BWB Americas 2013) and Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets; Canada; BWB Global 2015), former NBA player Carlos Arroyo (Puerto Rico), former WNBA player Ruth Riley (U.S.), Colombian player Juan Palacios (Élan Chalon) will be among the coaches leading the campers.
Current NBA assistant coaches Zach Guthrie (Utah Jazz), Royal Ivey (New York Knicks), Keith Bogans (Westchester Knicks; G League), Dutch Gaitley (Charlotte Hornets), Daniel Santiago (Puerto Rico) and Dawn Smyth (Canada Basketball) will also serve as BWB Americas coaches. Patrick Hunt (President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches; Australia) and Gersson Rosas (President of Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves; Colombia) will serve as camp directors, and Ernest Eugene (Orlando Magic) will serve as the camp’s athletic trainer.
Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including movement efficiency, skill development stations, 5-on-5 games and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication. One boy and one girl will be named BWB Americas camp MVPs at the conclusion of the camp.
BWB Americas will also include a Jr. NBA clinic with local youth in partnership with community organizations, which will highlight the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and the values of the game, including teamwork, integrity and respect. In addition, longtime former NBA official Eddie F. Rush will lead various development sessions with local FIBA referees and NBA and FIBA coaches will lead a coaching clinic for local coaches.
Nike, a BWB global partner since 2002, will outfit the campers and coaches with Nike apparel and footwear.
The NBA and FIBA have staged 58 BWB camps in 37 cities in 29 countries on six continents. BWB has hosted more than 3,400 participants from 129 countries and territories. More than 290 current and former NBA and WNBA players have joined more than 230 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams, with 60 former BWB campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents.
The following is a complete list of players participating in the 10th BWB Americas camp:
GIRLS ROSTER:
First Name
|
Last Name
|
Country
|
Martina
|
Torres
| |
Magali
|
Vilches
|
Argentina
|
Oriana
|
Bangert
|
Argentina
|
Adrielly
|
Francisco de Oliviera
|
Brazil
|
Beatriz Biscoula
|
Aneas
|
Brazil
|
Ana Luiza
|
da Siva Paulino
|
Brazil
|
Lais
|
Couto
|
Brazil
|
Jessica
|
Clarke
|
Canada
|
Kiandra
|
Browne
|
Canada
|
Laura
|
Perez Parra
|
Chile
|
Gabriela
|
Chivata
|
Colombia
|
Julieth
|
Rivera
|
Colombia
|
Carolina
|
Rojos
|
Colombia
|
Esparenza
|
Morales
|
Colombia
|
Daniela
|
Gonzalez Viveros
|
Colombia
|
Naylee
|
Cortes Espitia
|
Colombia
|
Karol
|
Yara
|
Colombia
|
Ashley
|
Baez
|
Dominican Republic
|
Karla Michelle
|
Benitez Espinosa
|
Ecuador
|
Abril
|
Reyes
|
Mexico
|
Mariana
|
Valenzuela
|
Mexico
|
Florencia
|
Niski
|
Uruguay
|
Camila
|
Kirschembaum
|
Uruguay
|
Emilia
|
Larreborges
|
Uruguay
|
BOYS ROSTER:
First Name
|
Last Name
|
Country
|
Jamine
|
Charles
|
Antigua
|
Javonte
|
Valerie
|
Antigua
|
Tomas
|
Allende
|
Argentina
|
Esteban
|
Caffaro
|
Argentina
|
Federico
|
Copes
|
Argentina
|
Lucas
|
Di Muccio
|
Argentina
|
Lucas
|
Sigismonti
|
Argentina
|
Deyton
|
Albury
|
Bahamas
|
Romad
|
Dean
|
Bahamas
|
Augusto
|
Cruz De Oliveira Cassia
|
Brazil
|
Marcio Henrique
|
Da Costa Santos
|
Brazil
|
Guilherme Carvalho
|
Dos Santos
|
Brazil
|
Daniel Ifedi
|
Ferreira Onwenu
|
Brazil
|
Bruno Henrique
|
Pedro Cardoso
|
Brazil
|
Javonte
|
Brown-Ferguson
|
Canada
|
Kordell
|
Charles
|
Canada
|
Zach
|
Edey
|
Canada
|
Bennedict
|
Mathurin
|
Canada
|
Olivier-Maxence
|
Prosper
|
Canada
|
Felipe
|
Inyaco
|
Chile
|
Andres
|
Dominguez
|
Chile
|
Felipe
|
Garcia Estrada
|
Colombia
|
Miguel
|
Lozada
|
Colombia
|
Benjamin
|
Palacios
|
Colombia
|
Rayner
|
Torres
|
Colombia
|
Rey
|
Abad Martinez
|
Dominican Republic
|
Raymon
|
Bastardo Jose
|
Dominican Republic
|
Jean Claudio
|
Montero Berroa
|
Dominican Republic
|
Chedlet
|
Delvat
|
Haiti
|
Orlando
|
Wallace
|
Jamaica
|
Esteban
|
Roacho
|
Mexico
|
Isael Alessandro
|
Silva Fernandez
|
Mexico
|
Jorhiel Amaury
|
Zapata Morales
|
Panama
|
Fabricio
|
Ruiz
|
Paraguay
|
Rafael
|
Pinzon
|
Puerto Rico
|
Miguel
|
Santos
|
Puerto Rico
|
Mateo
|
Bianchi
|
Uruguay
|
Agustin
|
Ubal
|
Uruguay
|
Keiver
|
Marcano
|
Venezuela
|
Jahmai Oba
|
Jones
|
Virgin Islands
|
KNICKS FINED FOR VIOLATING NBA MEDIA POLICY
NEW YORK, June 24, 2019 – The NBA announced today that the New York Knicks have been fined $50,000 for violating the NBA’s rules regarding equal access for media.
The Knicks did not allow the New York Daily News access to their post-draft press conference on Friday, June 21 while allowing all other credentialed media who cover the team to attend.
The organization has agreed to comply with NBA Media Access Rules moving forward.
NBA AND NBPA PARTNER WITH HIGHLIGHT GAMES ON
FIRST-EVER NBA VIRTUAL SPORTS BETTING GAME
- NBA Last 90 to Debut Next Season -
NEW YORK AND LONDON, June 19, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and Highlight Games Limited, a specialist gaming supplier, today announced an innovative partnership with the creation of NBA Last 90 – the exclusive virtual sports betting game that will utilize actual NBA highlights and footage. NBA Last 90 is set to debut in U.S. and European gaming and lottery markets during the 2019-20 NBA season.
Virtual sports gaming, already a popular gaming product throughout Europe, allows fans to bet on simulated sports events powered by a random number generator. NBA Last 90 will feature a vast archive of NBA highlights and footage from recent NBA seasons and will offer players a unique and compelling virtual sports gaming experience.
NBA Last 90 players will have the ability to wager on various outcomes, including which team will win, who will score on the first possession and the total number of points scored by both teams, during the last 90 seconds of a simulated matchup between two NBA teams. A vast archive of NBA highlights and footage will be randomly pulled from any matchup over recent seasons between the two teams, producing millions of possible outcomes.
The game will be distributed to licensed gaming operators in multiple regions across the world, initially launching in Europe and will expand to include the United States later in the 2019-20 NBA season. Fans can expect to see NBA Last 90 across multiple channels, including retail locations, online and in mobile applications.
“Virtual sports betting is incredibly popular in regions around the world and we’re looking forward to giving fans another innovative way to engage with the NBA,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, Head of Fantasy & Gaming, NBA. “With NBA Last 90, Highlight Games has created a new spin on virtual sports basketball and delivered an authentic gaming experience utilizing real NBA content.”
“We are extremely excited about this partnership and the potential future opportunities for our players in the virtual gaming space,” said Josh Goodstadt, Executive Vice President of Licensing for THINK450, the commercial arm of the NBPA. “We look forward to working with the NBA and Highlight Games to create a unique gaming experience that will help to grow the popularity of the players and the league worldwide.”
“I’m delighted to announce this groundbreaking partnership with NBA and NBPA,” said Tim Green, CEO Highlight Games. “Highlight Games has an ambitious strategy to enter the nascent US sports betting and virtual sports market, and this collaboration is the first important step on that journey. NBA Last 90 features real NBA stars and real NBA highlights, differentiating it from any other virtual sports product on the market. We’re confident that players around the world will be instantly engaged with NBA Last 90.”
NEW YORK, June 12, 2019 – Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has won the 2018-19 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as administered and selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA). Named after the NBA’s second commissioner, the honor is presented annually by the PBWA to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Lillard was one of five finalists for the 2018-19 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, along with Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
The finalists were chosen by a committee of 25 PBWA members from a list of 27 nominees submitted by NBA teams. The winner was determined by a vote of the entire PBWA, which is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA regularly for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.
A seven-year NBA veteran, Lillard is being honored for supporting and inspiring high school students in Portland through his RESPECT program, which encourages youth to Show Up, Work Hard and Be Kind. Lillard, who has spent his entire career with the Trail Blazers since being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, started the anti-bullying platform in 2013 after meeting with Portland school administrators to identify schools that most needed a more positive culture among students.
Lillard has partnered with three Portland high schools – Madison, Parkrose and Roosevelt – to reinforce the value of education and celebrate student achievement. He has participated in school assemblies and class discussions and has empowered teachers and counselors to reward respectful, diligent students with tickets to Trail Blazers games, RESPECT merchandise and special events with Lillard such as a private tour of the team’s practice facility. The schools have reported significant progress resulting from Lillard’s commitment, including improvements in student behavior, engagement, attendance and tardiness.
“Damian Lillard’s sustained commitment to inspire young people in Portland is inspiring,” said PBWA President Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “PBWA members honor him and commend his fellow finalists and nominees for their laudatory work.”
In addition to his efforts to drive generational change with Portland students, Lillard has served as a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics since 2013. In February, he was an honorary coach at the eighth annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Game at NBA All-Star 2019 in Charlotte.
Lillard, who turns 29 in July, averaged 25.8 points, a career-high 6.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 80 games this season. He earned his fourth NBA All-Star selection and was named to the 2018-19 All-NBA Second Team. The 6-3 guard helped Portland reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 1999-00 season.
Lillard will receive his J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award trophy during a ceremony prior to a 2019-20 regular-season game in Portland.
Below is the complete list of winners of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
PBWA J. WALTER KENNEDY CITIZENSHIP AWARD WINNERS
| |||||||||
Season
|
Winner, Team
|
Season
|
Winner, Team
| ||||||
1974-75
|
Wes Unseld, Washington
|
1996-97
|
P.J. Brown, Miami
| ||||||
1975-76
|
Slick Watts, Seattle
|
1997-98
|
Steve Smith, Atlanta
| ||||||
1976-77
|
Dave Bing, Washington
|
1998-99
|
Brian Grant, Portland
| ||||||
1977-78
|
Bob Lanier, Detroit
|
1999-00
|
Vlade Divac, Sacramento
| ||||||
1978-79
|
Calvin Murphy, Houston
|
2000-01
|
Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia
| ||||||
1979-80
|
Austin Carr, Cleveland
|
2001-02
|
Alonzo Mourning, Miami
| ||||||
1980-81
|
Mike Glenn, New York
|
2002-03
|
David Robinson, San Antonio
| ||||||
1981-82
|
Kent Benson, Detroit
|
2003-04
|
Reggie Miller, Indiana
| ||||||
1982-83
|
Julius Erving, Philadelphia
|
2004-05
|
Eric Snow, Cleveland
| ||||||
1983-84
|
Frank Layden, Utah
|
2005-06
|
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
| ||||||
1984-85
|
Dan Issel, Denver
|
2006-07
|
Steve Nash, Phoenix
| ||||||
1985-86
|
Michael Cooper, L.A. Lakers
Rory Sparrow, New York |
2007-08
2008-09 |
Chauncey Billups, Detroit
Dikembe Mutombo, Houston
| ||||||
1986-87
|
Isiah Thomas, Detroit
|
2009-10
|
Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia
| ||||||
1987-88
|
Alex English, Denver
|
2010-11
|
Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers
| ||||||
1988-89
|
Thurl Bailey, Utah
|
2011-12
|
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
| ||||||
1989-90
|
Doc Rivers, Atlanta
|
2012-13
|
Kenneth Faried, Denver
| ||||||
1990-91
|
Kevin Johnson, Phoenix
|
2013-14
|
Luol Deng, Cleveland
| ||||||
1991-92
|
Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
|
2014-15
|
Joakim Noah, Chicago
| ||||||
1992-93
|
Terry Porter, Portland
|
2015-16
|
Wayne Ellington, Brooklyn
| ||||||
1993-94
|
Joe Dumars, Detroit
|
2016-17
|
LeBron James, Cleveland
| ||||||
1994-95
|
Joe O’Toole, Atlanta
|
2017-18
|
J.J. Barea, Dallas
| ||||||
1995-96
|
Chris Dudley, Portland
|
2018-19
|
Damian Lillard, Portland
| ||||||
ORTY-SEVEN INTERNATIONAL EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES WITHDRAW FROM NBA DRAFT 2019 PRESENTED BY STATE FARM®
– Two additional collegiate players withdraw as early entry candidates –
NEW YORK, June 11, 2019 – Forty-seven international players who had declared as early entry candidates for the NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm® have withdrawn their names from consideration. Two collegiate players who previously had declared as early entry candidates have also withdrawn. There are 86collegiate and 12 international prospects that remain early entry candidates.
The NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm will be held on Thursday, June 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Here is the list of international players who have withdrawn their names from consideration for the NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm:
Player
Dikembe Andre
Darko Bajo
Aleksander Balcerowski
Vrenz Bleijenbergh
Adrian Bogucki
Leandro Bolmaro
Ognjen Carapic
Kevin Cham
Leo Cizmic
Digue Diawara
Nenad Dimitrijevic
Felipe Dos Anjos
Henri Drell
Paul Eboua
Osas Ehigiator
Biram Faye
Ivan Fevrier
Aleix Font
Philipp Herkenhoff
Dalibor Ilic
Panagiotis Kalaitzakis
Mate Kalajzic
Lukasz Kolenda
Andrija Marjanovic
Gytis Masiulis
Jonas Mattisseck
Nikita Mikhailovskii
Nikola Miskovic
Muhaymin Mustafa
Toni Nakic
Abdoulaye N’Doye
Tanor Ngom
Louis Olinde
Zoran Paunovic
Dino Radoncic
Sander Raieste
Neal Sako
Tadas Sedekerskis
Njegos Sikiras
Borisa Simanic
Khadim Sow
Filip Stanic
Michael Uchendu
Bastien Vautier
Arnas Velicka
Warren Woghiren
Arturs Zagars
Here is the list of additional players from colleges who have withdrawn their names from consideration for the NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm:
Player
Sacha Killeya-Jones
Kouat Noi
Following is a list of players from colleges and other educational institutions who remain early entry candidates for the NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm:
Player
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
RJ Barrett
Tyus Battle
Darius Bazley
Bol Bol
Marques Bolden
Jordan Bone
Ky Bowman
Ignas Brazdeikis
Oshae Brissett
Armoni Brooks
Charlie Brown Jr.
Moses Brown
Brandon Clarke
Nicolas Claxton
Amir Coffey
Tyler Cook
Jarrett Culver
Aubrey Dawkins
Luguentz Dort
Jason Draggs
Carsen Edwards
Bruno Fernando
Daniel Gafford
Darius Garland
Kyle Guy
Rui Hachimura
Jaylen Hands
Jared Harper
Jaxson Hayes
Dewan Hernandez
Tyler Herro
Amir Hinton
Jaylen Hoard
Daulton Hommes
Talen Horton-Tucker
De’Andre Hunter
Ty Jerome
Keldon Johnson
Mfiondu Kabengele
Louis King
V.J. King
Sagaba Konate
Martin Krampelj
Romeo Langford
Cameron Lard
Dedric Lawson
Jalen Lecque
Jacob Ledoux
Nassir Little
Trevor Manuel
Charles Matthews
Jalen McDaniels
Ja Morant
Zach Norvell Jr.
Jaylen Nowell
Chuma Okeke
KZ Okpala
Miye Oni
Lamar Peters
Shamorie Ponds
Jordan Poole
Jontay Porter
Kevin Porter Jr.
Brandon Randolph
Cam Reddish
Isaiah Reese
Naz Reid
Austin Robinson
NBA MEXICO CITY GAMES 2019 TO FEATURE RECORD FOUR TEAMS
PLAYING TWO REGULAR-SEASON GAMES ON DEC. 12 & 14
- Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs
Headline 29th and 30th NBA Games in Mexico -
MEXICO CITY, June 07, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Zignia Live announced today that The NBA Mexico City Games 2019 will feature the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs playing two regular-season games at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, marking the first time that four NBA teams will play in Mexico in one regular-season.
The Mavericks and Pistons will play on Thursday, Dec. 12 and the Spurs will take on the Suns on Saturday, Dec. 14. The games will mark the 29thand 30th games in Mexico since 1992, the most NBA games held in any country outside the United States and Canada. It will also be the fourth consecutive season the NBA will play two regular-season games in Mexico City.
The games will be broadcast live on ESPN Deportes, Televisa and NBA League Pass in Mexico, and will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories. Ticket sales information will be announced at a later date.
The rosters for the four teams currently feature 2018-19 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year finalist and All-Rookie First Team selection Luka Donĉić (Mavericks), six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin (Pistons), four-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan and seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs), and Devin Booker (Suns), who this season became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 5,000 career points.
In addition to the oncourt action, The NBA Mexico City Games 2019 will feature NBA Cares community outreach initiatives.
The NBA Mexico City Games 2019 will be supported by a full roster of marketing partners, including AT&T, Nike, Tissot, Gatorade, SAP, Codere, Coors Light, with additional partners to be announced in the coming months.
Fans can find more NBA information at NBA.com, Facebook.com/NBA_Mexico and on Twitter (@NBAMEX). Fans can also purchase all the latest NBA merchandise at NBATienda.com and at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico on game nights.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“NBA games in Mexico City are a core part of our efforts to reach and engage basketball fans throughout Mexico and Latin America. With a record four NBA teams visiting Mexico City next season, we expect an unprecedented level of interest and excitement around these games and our surrounding community events.”
Zignia Live Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Ignacio Sáenz:
“We have a great partnership with the NBA and are proud of everything we have achieved together. The road has been very satisfying and filled with many happy moments thanks to the effort of all the teams. Thanks to the unconditional support of the fans, we can say that the best basketball in the world will come once again to Mexico on December 12 and 14 as both Zignia and the NBA will continue their commitment to grow the game in Mexico.”
Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle:
“We are thrilled to be one of the teams that plays internationally again this season. It is an honor to come back to Mexico City and showcase our game to these great fans!”
Detroit Pistons Vice Chairman, Arn Tellem:
“The Detroit Pistons organization is excited to be among four teams participating in the NBA’s Mexico City Games 2019. Playing a regular-season game in Mexico City will be a great experience for our players and coaches and we look forward to showcasing Detroit Basketball to an international audience.”
Phoenix Suns President and CEO, Jason Rowley:
“We had a transcendent experience hosting two regular-season games in Mexico City in 2017 and our entire organization is excited about returning to Mexico as a home team next season. Our relationship with Mexico is special and it’s a tremendous opportunity to continue engaging our growing group of supporters in that region, while helping expand the NBA and the game of basketball to a very passionate fan base.”
Spurs President of Sports Franchises RC Buford:
“It’s an honor for the Spurs organization to be able to represent South Texas and the NBA by, once again, playing in Mexico City. The relationship between our community and Mexico is important and impactful on many levels. We look forward to a wonderful experience and are excited to share Spurs basketball with all of our fans in Mexico.”
WARRIORS INVESTOR MARK STEVENS BANNED ONE YEAR AND FINED $500,000
OAKLAND, Calif., June 6, 2019 – The NBA and the Golden State Warriors today announced that Warriors investor Mark Stevens has been banned from attending NBA games and Warriors team activities for one year and has been fined $500,000 for pushing and directing obscene language toward the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry during Game 3 of The Finals last night. The incident occurred with 10:37 remaining in the fourth quarter when Lowry dived into the spectator stands while chasing a loose ball.
Stevens’ ban is effective immediately and carries through the 2019-20 NBA season, including the postseason.
OAKLAND, Calif., June 6, 2019 – The following statement has been issued by Mike Bass, NBA Executive Vice President, Communications, regarding the conduct of Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens at Game 3 of The Finals last night:
“A team representative must be held to the highest possible standard and the conduct of Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens last night was beyond unacceptable and has no place in our league. As the review of this matter continues, Mr. Stevens will not be permitted to attend NBA games.”
National Basketball Coaches Association Presents The
2019 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award to
NBA Coaching Icon Frank Layden
TORONTO, Canada June 2, 2019— Frank Layden, one of the sports world’s most colorful characters and whose impact on the NBA transcended his coaching contributions, is the recipient of the 2019 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
“Frank Layden represents the very best in coaching,” said Dallas Mavericks Head Coach and National Basketball Coaches Association President Rick Carlisle. “He built a perennial winner in Utah with the Jazz and produced one of the great coaches in NBA history in Jerry Sloan. Frank was also the only person in NBA history to win NBA Coach of the year, NBA executive of the year and the NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in the same year, doing so in 1984. Our sincerest congratulations to Frank Layden on this prestigious recognition.”
“For several reasons, I am overwhelmed and pleased to be named the recipient of this year’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Layden. “First, Chuck Daly was a very good friend of mine for many years before either of us were connected with the NBA, and it is an honor to be recognized by an award of his namesake. Second is the wonderful camaraderie that comes with being a Coach in the NBA. My colleagues were wonderful and the best part of my coaching experience. They were great coaches and even better men. I am honored to accept this award from their ranks and on their behalf. Third, I am saddened that Chuck Daly and Michael Goldberg are no longer with us; two individuals who would’ve loved to be here to witness this today. Michael Goldberg, who played a great role in my life both in guiding me and sometimes holding me back from doing something stupid, does not get enough credit for his impact on the NBA coaching profession. Michael was integral, joining with some of our earlier leaders like Tommy Heinsohn, in getting the Coaches Association off the ground and giving it tremendous credibility. I can remember Michael Goldberg and David Stern working closely together and what a wonderful team they were in making the NBCA what it is today. I cannot stress enough how Michael was always there to help me and help other coaches regardless of what team they represented or how they long they have been in the NBA.”
Lastly, Layden said “I don't really believe I deserve this award. But having come from Brooklyn and having reached a high level of mediocrity in the coaching profession, on behalf of all the C students in the world I’m going to take it anyway.”
Layden broke into the NBA in 1976 as an assistant coach under Hubie Brown, his Niagara University teammate, for three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. The then New Orleans Jazz hired him as General Manager in 1979 and after the team moved to Utah, he also became Head Coach in 1981. Layden served in multiple roles in a two decade span with the Jazz, including General Manager (1979-1987), Head Coach (1981-1989) and President (1989-1999). He coached the team to their first five playoff appearances in team history (1984-88). For the 1983-84 season, Layden was voted Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, becoming the only person in history to win both awards in the same season and only one of four to receive both awards in their career. Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Larry Bird are the other three. That same season he was the Head Coach of the Western Conference All-Star team and was named the recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given annually to an NBA player or coach who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
After he finished his coaching career in 1989, he remained as Jazz team president through 1999, overseeing two NBA Finals appearances and boasting an average of 55 wins per season over his final 10 years with the team. It was Layden who drafted two future Hall of Famers, Karl Malone and John Stockton, and named a third Hall of Famer, Jerry Sloan, to replace him as Head Coach. The Jazz retired jersey #1 in his honor in 1988.
Layden was known throughout his career for his never-ending promotion of the NBA, speaking to crowds both large and small, always using his trademark sense of humor to make a connection, or a point. He and his wife Barbara are also well known for their commitment to community service and involvement, both locally and nationally.
Layden was a collegiate player at Niagara University, competing for John “Taps” Gallagher. He became Head Coach at his alma mater in 1968, coaching for 8 seasons, leading the team to the school’s first-ever NCAA tournament in 1970. He finished his coaching tenure at Niagara in 1976 with 119 career wins, which ranked second in school history to Gallagher at that time. Layden was inducted into the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981, and his jersey was retired in 2012.
Layden has been inducted into seven Halls of Fame, including the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, Niagara University named its basketball court after Frank and Barbara Layden in 2014.
“Coach Frank Layden had a tremendously successful career as both a Coach and an Executive. Coach Layden always carried himself with dignity and class and was a remarkable ambassador for the game of basketball,” said David S. Fogel, National Basketball Coaches Association Executive Director. “This honor is well deserved.”
The National Basketball Coaches Association’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award honors the memory of Hall of Famer Chuck Daly, who over an outstanding NBA coaching career set a standard for integrity, competitive excellence and tireless promotion of NBA basketball. This year’s award recognizes the extraordinary contributions Frank Layden has made to the sport throughout his NBA career. Through building a body of work that has had a positive and powerful impact on the NBA coaching profession, Layden has embodied the high standards and leadership philosophies that Coach Daly brought to the game.
The National Basketball Coaches Association Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is selected annually by the Award Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of some of the most respected coaches and basketball executives in the game, including Bernie Bickerstaff, Billy Cunningham, Joe Dumars, Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, Donnie Walsh and Lenny Wilkens.
Prior recipients are Doug Moe (2018), Al Attles and Hubie Brown (2017), K.C. Jones and Jerry Sloan (2016), Dick Motta (2015), Bernie Bickerstaff (2014), Bill Fitch (2013), Pat Riley (2012), Lenny Wilkens (2011), Tex Winter and Jack Ramsay (2010) and Tommy Heinsohn (2009).
NBA FINES LA CLIPPERS
NEW YORK, May 31, 2019 – The NBA announced today that it has fined the LA Clippers $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to comments regarding the Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard made by Head Coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers in a recent television appearance.
EIGHTY-NINE EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES WITHDRAW FROM 2019 NBA DRAFT PRESENTED BY STATE FARM®
NEW YORK, May 30, 2019 – Eighty-nine players have notified the NBA that they wish to be removed from the list of “early entry” players eligible for selection in the 2019 NBA Draft presented by State Farm. Following the NBA’s early entry withdrawal deadline of 5 p.m. ET on June 10, 2019, a comprehensive release will be distributed listing the additional players who provided the NBA with timely notice that they wish to be removed from the list of “early entry” players eligible for selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The following 89 players have withdrawn their names from consideration for the 2019 NBA Draft:
Player
Milan Acquaah
Bryce Aiken
Al-Wajid Aminu
Desmond Bane
Charles Bassey
Troy Baxter Jr.
Kerry Blackshear Jr. Virginia Tech
Phil Bledsoe
DaQuan Bracey
Keith Braxton
Nico Carvacho
Yoeli Childs
RJ Cole
Anthony Cowan Jr.
Jarron Cumberland
Caleb Daniels
Tulio Da Silva
Javin DeLaurier
Silvio De Sousa
Mamadi Diakite
Alpha Diallo
James Dickey
David DiLeo
Davon Dillard
Devon Dotson
Aljami Durham
CJ Elleby
Steven Enoch
Jaylen Fisher
Savion Flagg
Eugene German
TJ Gibbs
Quentin Goodin
Tony Goodwin II
Kellan Grady
Devonte Green
Quentin Grimes
Jon Axel Gudmundsson
Jerrick Harding
Kevon Harris
Jayce Johnson
Markell Johnson
Tyrique Jones
Nathan Knight
Anthony Lamb
A.J. Lawson
Tevin Mack
Malik Maitland
Jermaine Marrow
Naji Marshall
Skylar Mays
Davion Mintz
EJ Montgomery
Andrew Nembhard
Joel Ntambwe
Jordan Nwora
Devonte Patterson
Reggie Perry
Filip Petrusev
Jalen Pickett
Cletrell Pope
Nik Popovic
Myles Powell
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Nick Richards
LaQuincy Rideau
Kevin Samuel
Paul Scruggs
Josh Sharkey
Nike Sibande
Ja’Vonte Smart
Justin Smith
Derrik Smits
Xavier Sneed
Lamar Stevens
Marlon Taylor
Ethan Thompson
Killian Tillie
Donnie Tillman
Tres Tinkle
Obi Toppin
Justin Turner
Kaleb Wesson
Jimmy Whitt Jr.
Joe Wieskamp
Charles Williams
Emmitt Williams
Holland Woods II
NBA NAMES AMADOU GALLO FALL PRESIDENT OF
BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE
JOHANNESBURG AND NEW YORK, May 28, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today named NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall as President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa scheduled to begin play next year.
Fall will assume his role as BAL President immediately while assisting in the transition and search for a new Managing Director of the NBA in Africa.
“Amadou’s efforts to grow basketball and the NBA’s business across Africa have been extraordinary, and he is an ideal choice to lead the Basketball Africa League,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “This historic initiative will not only further enhance the game in Africa but also provide new opportunities in media, technology and infrastructure on the continent.”
The announcement about the NBA and FIBA’s launch of the BAL, which would mark the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America, was made at the NBA All-Star 2019 Africa Luncheon in Charlotte on Saturday, Feb. 16.
Fall, a Senegalese native who joined the NBA in January 2010, helped open the league’s office in Johannesburg, South Africa in May 2010, and has directed the NBA’s grassroots basketball development initiatives and partnerships with marketing, media and consumer product companies in Africa.
He has overseen significant growth in the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa, highlighted by three sold-out NBA Africa Games - in Johannesburg in 2015 and 2017 and in Pretoria in 2018 - in support of charities including UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa.
Under Fall’s leadership, the NBA has expanded its grassroots and elite development efforts across the continent, including the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and The NBA Academy Africa. This year, the NBA plans to reach more than 2.5 million boys and girls ages 16 and under through Jr. NBA programs in 21 African countries. BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, has been held in Africa 16 times, with 10 former BWB Africa campers drafted into the NBA.
Fall was instrumental in opening The NBA Academy Africa in May 2017, where 25 elite male prospects ages 14-20 have received scholarships and training after scouting programs conducted with local federations across the continent. Three NBA Academy Africa graduates have gone on to commit to NCAA Division 1 schools.
Fall is a recipient of multiple leadership awards for his contribution to the growth of the game of basketball and youth development on the African continent. This includes African Leader 4 Change (2017) and the South African Sport Industry’s Leadership in Sport (2018).
Fall previously worked for the Dallas Mavericks, starting as a scout in 1998 before ultimately becoming Director of Player Personnel and Vice President of International Affairs, when he served as the team’s international goodwill ambassador and oversaw scouting assignments. He helped start Basketball Without Borders Africa in 2003 and served as Camp Director until 2010.
Fall is also the Founder of SEED (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a global non-profit organization established in 1998 with the mission of using sport as a vehicle to inspire, empower and support the holistic development of promising African youth, preparing them to become global citizens.
He is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where he played center on the basketball team. Fall was inducted into the UDC Athletics Hall of Fame on February 15, 2019.
TYREKE EVANS DISMISSED AND DISQUALIFIED FROM
THE NBA FOR VIOLATION OF NBA/NBPA ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM
NEW YORK, May 17, 2019 – The NBA announced today that Tyreke Evans has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
Under the Anti-Drug Program, Evans is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.
The NBA, NBA teams, and the Players Association are prohibited from publicly disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any NBA player under the Anti-Drug Program, other than to announce a player’s suspension or dismissal from the league.
NEW ORLEANS WINS NBA DRAFT LOTTERY 2019 PRESENTED BY STATE FARM; ORDER OF SELECTION SET FOR JUNE 20 NBA DRAFT
CHICAGO, May 14, 2019 – The New Orleans Pelicans tonight won NBA Draft Lottery 2019 presented by State Farm®, which was conducted at the Hilton Chicago.
The Pelicans will have the first overall pick in NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm, which will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The NBA Draft will air live on ESPN and ESPN Radio and stream live on the ESPN App.
Below are the results from NBA Draft Lottery 2019 presented by State Farm:
1. New Orleans
2. Memphis
3. New York
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Cleveland
6. Phoenix
7. Chicago
8. Atlanta
9. Washington
10. Atlanta (from Dallas)
11. Minnesota
12. Charlotte
13. Miami
14. Boston (from Sacramento via Philadelphia)
Below is the order for the remainder of the first round and the complete second round for NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm:
15. Detroit
16. Orlando
17. Brooklyn
18. Indiana
19. San Antonio
20. Boston (from LA Clippers via Memphis)
21. Oklahoma City
22. Boston
23. Utah
24. Philadelphia
25. Portland
26. Cleveland (from Houston)
27. Brooklyn (from Denver)
28. Golden State
29. San Antonio (from Toronto)
30. Milwaukee
2019 SECOND ROUND DRAFT CHOICE ORDER
31. Brooklyn (from New York via Philadelphia)
32. Phoenix
33. Philadelphia (from Cleveland via Orlando and New York)
34. Philadelphia (from Chicago via Los Angeles Lakers)
35. Atlanta
36. Charlotte (from Washington via Orlando, Denver and Atlanta)
37. Dallas
38. Chicago (from Memphis)
39. New Orleans
40. Sacramento (from Minnesota via Portland and Cleveland)
41. Atlanta (from Los Angeles Lakers via Cleveland and Indiana)
42. Philadelphia (from Sacramento via Brooklyn and Milwaukee)
43. Minnesota (from Miami via Charlotte)
44. Atlanta (from Charlotte)
45. Detroit
46. Orlando (from Brooklyn via Memphis and Charlotte)
47. Sacramento (from Orlando via New York)
48. LA Clippers
49. San Antonio
50. Indiana
51. Boston
52. Charlotte (from Oklahoma City)
53. Utah
54. Philadelphia
55. New York (from Houston)
56. LA Clippers (from Portland via Detroit and Orlando)
57. New Orleans (from Denver via Milwaukee)
58. Golden State
59. Toronto
60. Sacramento (from Milwaukee)
Award-Winning Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts to Receive Sager Strong Award During 2019NBA Awards Presented by Kia on TNT
Turner Sports and the NBA today announced that broadcasting legend Robin Roberts will be the recipient of this year’s Sager Strong Award at the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT, airing Monday, June 24, at 9 p.m. ET. The Sager Strong Award, named for iconic Turner Sports sideline reporter Craig Sager, is presented annually to an individual who has been a trailblazer while exemplifying courage, faith, compassion and grace. The award is bestowed upon the recipient in the form of a colorful suit jacket, a replica of the one worn by Sager during his unforgettable “Time is simply how you live your life” speech in 2016. Past Sager Strong recipients include NBA legends Monty Williams in 2017 and Dikembe Mutombo in 2018.
As anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America, Roberts has been recognized with numerous awards due to her leadership, courage, sustained excellence and contributions to the show including several Daytime Emmy awards. In addition, Roberts is the President of Rock'n Robin Productions which creates original broadcast and digital programming ranging from informational shows and documentaries to live events. Prior to being named co-anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America in May 2005, Roberts’ career thrived at ESPN, where she was well-known for her prominent role as SportsCenter host. Before joining ESPN in 1990, she began her broadcasting career as a sports reporter and anchor in Mississippi before moving on to Nashville and then Atlanta.
Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 triggering an outpouring of support from across the nation, and again five years later with myelodysplatic syndrome (MDS). She aligned with Be the Match to inform the public about the need for more donors and, since her diagnosis, the bone marrow registry has seen a tremendous increase. Her battle has been recognized with awards and honors from organizations around the country including The Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program.
A 2016 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee, Roberts has also been honored with the George Foster Peabody Award in 2012 and the Gracie Award in 2019. The recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2014, she was recognized with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS in July 2013 for the strength and courage she has displayed throughout her life and career.
Roberts, who graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1983, where she was a standout performer on the women’s basketball team, received the WNBA Inspiration Award in 2008. In 2012, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
The 2019 NBA Awards on TNT – presented live from historic Barker Hangar in Los Angeles – will honor all of the league’s top performers from the 2018-19 NBA season, including the exclusive unveiling of the Kia NBA MVP, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
The third annual NBA Awards on TNT will once again feature current and former NBA players, coaches and celebrity presenters throughout the evening. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
The NBA Awards on TNT, created by Turner Sports and the NBA, is produced by dick clark productions.
