The 19th edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa started on Friday, July 28, in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a call to African players to aspire for great things.

The camp is bringing together 80 male and female high-school-age prospects from more than 25 African countries to learn from current and former NBA and WNBA players, legends and coaches.

The youngsters at the camp include Rwanda's Jane Dusabe, 18.

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Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham who is in South Africa for the event tipped African youngsters on the sport

"The care factor they have for their craft, from their nutrition, sleeping habits, the way they work on their bodies, and the conditioning; all that enables them to be on the court and be on the court at the highest level," he said in an interview.

"Kobe, Giannis, and Lebron are all different in their own right but what they share is the passion of the game and the preparation of the game. Again, it is beyond being available to play, but being able to play at the highest level.”

"That is what I want to tell these kids, to match their effort, attitude, and their hunger to get better each and every day."

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall talked about the BWB initiative as a part of the efforts to give more opportunities to African players and coaches to become better.

The players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities including movement efficiency drills, offensive and defensive skill stations, three-point contests, 5-on-5 games, and life skills and leadership development sessions.

A ceremony on the final day of the camp will award the Kim Bohuny Camp MVP, the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, the B.J. Johnson Most Improved Player Award, the Three-Point Champion and the Defensive MVP to the boys and girls who distinguish themselves on the court and as leaders.

As part of the camp, NBA players and coaches will also participate in several community outreach initiatives around Johannesburg. These will include a court unveiling in the Alexandra Township on Saturday, July 29.

In addition, BWB Africa 2023 coaches will lead a development clinic for local coaches at AISJ on July 30.