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Nowitzki, Kemba Walker among captains for NBA Africa Game

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

The NBA and NBPA announced Monday that Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki, Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker, Atlanta Hawks swingman Thabo Sefolosha, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng will serve as team captains for NBA Africa Game 2017.

The exhibition contest will take place Aug. 5 at Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the league's second game in the country.

All-Stars Nowitzki and Walker, from Germany and the U.S., respectively, are set to co-captain Team World, while Team Africa will be led by Sudanese-born Deng and Sefolosha, whose father hails from South Africa.

"I'm really excited to represent Team World in the second NBA Africa Game this summer," said Nowitzki, who participated in the Basketball without Borders Africa camp eight years ago. "It's great to see how the game is growing across the continent, and I'm honored to be a part of this historic event."

The full rosters have yet to be revealed, but it was previously announced that Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo and Denver Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay will suit up for Team Africa, while Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum has committed to representing the World squad.

Sefolosha echoed Nowitzki's excitement.

"Having South African roots, it's a dream come true to return to South Africa to play in an NBA game," he said. "There are so many talented African players in the league, and it will be an honor to lead them on Aug. 5 in Johannesburg."

The NBA has boasted over 70 players from Africa, and played its first ever game in the continent in 2015.

Proceeds from the event will go toward UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and SOS Children's Villages South Africa.

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