Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond excels in NBA Africa game

Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons excelled in Team World’s win in Johannesburg, South Africa during NBA Africa 2017.

Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons and 11 other NBA players played in the 2017 NBA Africa game. Drummond who played for Team World, and Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers put on a clinic for all to see.

Apparently, someone forgot to tell Team World this was an exhibition game. All the starters for Team World ended the game in double digits. Drummond added 14 points and 13 rebounds in the win, while Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics led Team World scorers with 15 points.

The Johannesburg fans saw seven lead changes and 12 ties in the highly contested matchup of NBA stars. At the start of the third quarter, the score was locked up at 77 all. Despite Team Africa’s Oladipo adding nine points in the fourth quarter to solidify MVP honors for the game, they just couldn’t overcome Team World.

DeMarcus Cousins had a double-double, adding 11 points and 10 boards. The rest of the starters for Team World scored in double figures as well. Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points, while Courtney Lee and Kyle Lowry both had 13 points. Team World held on to win 108 – 97.

Team Africa had two players who did not suit up to play Luol Deng and Joel Embiid. Both players are currently recovering from injuries.

Team Africa (via NBA.com)

* Team captains

• Luol Deng (Los Angeles Lakers; South Sudan)*
• Thabo Sefolosha (Utah Jazz; Switzerland; parent from South Africa)*
• Bismack Biyombo (Orlando Magic; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Clint Capela (Houston Rockets; Switzerland; parents from Angola and Congo)
• Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves; Senegal; BWB Africa 2009)
• Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011)**
• Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors; Congo)
• Luc Mbah a Moute (Houston Rockets; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2003)
• Salah Mejri (Dallas Mavericks; Tunisia)
• Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers; U.S.; parent from Nigeria)
• Dennis Schroder (Hawks; Germany; parent from The Gambia)

Team World (via NBA.com)

* Team captains

• Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks; Germany)*
• Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets; U.S.)*
• Leandro Barbosa (most recently with the Phoenix Suns; Brazil)
• Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics; U.S.)
• Wilson Chandler (Nuggets; U.S.)
• DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans; U.S.)
• Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons; U.S.)
• Courtney Lee (New York Knicks; U.S.)
• Kyle Lowry (Raptors; U.S.)
• CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers; U.S.)
• Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks; Latvia)

Drummond, Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, and Victor Oladipo had a little fun posing for pictures before the NBA Africa game tipped off in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hall of Famers and MVP honors

Oladipo, who scored 28 points and nine rebounds for Team Africa, took home MVP honors for the game. The pace often felt more like a traditional NBA All-Star game instead of a high-profile exhibition game.

NBA Hall-of-Famer and Congo native Dikembe Mutombo, told NBA.com’s Shaun Powell how much NBA Africa and Basketball Without Borders meant to him after the game.

"“When I see the turnout and the level of interest, it brings tears to my eyes. I thank the commissioner for bringing the NBA here. I think the next step is to see how many more basketball academies will open. Here in Africa, 65 percent of the population is under age of 16. We cannot allow them to not learn how to play the game of basketball. A lot would love to try the game. They want to be part of it. They think, ‘maybe someone will discover me.'”"

NBA Africa Week

Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons added NBA ambassador to his resume last week by playing in NBA Africa 2017. The fan events and exhibition game during NBA Africa celebrated basketball outside of America’s borders.

Drummond and 11 of his NBA peers participated in a week of events surrounding the NBA Africa celebration. The week of events culminated with the exhibition game featuring Team World vs. Team Africa on August 5, 2017. The inaugural NBA Africa game took place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015.

While in South Africa, Drummond participated in building homes with Habitat for Humanity, fan zone events and basketball camp drills with the kids. The Pistons were well represented in Johannesburg. Pistons minority owner along with Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment vice chairman Arn Tellem also made the trip as part of the league’s contingent of basketball ambassadors.

Basketball Without Borders

The NBA’s commitment to expanding their global footprint is the key to the continued success and expansion of the game. The 1992 Dream Team ignited spurred interest in the NBA globally. The NBA’s influence globally contributes to the culturally diverse makeup of the NBA.

"“Basketball is witnessing explosive growth in Africa. Our return to Johannesburg this summer is part of the League’s continued commitment to bring the authentic NBA experience to fans around the world. I would like to thank the NBPA for their participation and for being terrific partners on this game and surrounding events,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a release."

Per the NBA, proceeds from the game will benefit UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa.

The excitement from the children interacting with NBA favorites like Thabo Sefolosha, Joel Embiid and Serge Ibaka was infectious. Players from Team World and Team Africa participated in drills with the kids at NBA Fan Zone.

Per the NBA, the top 80 boys and girls ages 17 and under from 26 African countries are participating in the Basketball Without Borders camp.

Ambassador Drummond

Drummond talked about what being an ambassador for the game of basketball means to him and how he plans to improve in the upcoming season with the Pistons

Drummond told the Rod Beard of the Detroit Free Press he took his mother Christine Cameron to Africa with him.

"“She’s loving every minute of it. We both had dreams when I was younger to make it to Africa one day, even if it was just a visit,” Drummond said. “To come for this reason, to give back and help somebody else out, was a step above what we were expecting. The experience outweighs the basketball part.”"

Drummond also spoke on the impact the trip had on him personally.

"“The stuff I saw today building houses and driving down dirt roads and seeing the way these people live and the houses they’re in and having no food crushed me,” Drummond said. “It was a very emotional day for me. It got to the point where a little kid walked past me eating a branch and it was hard for me to see. I went out of my way and gave every supply we had – food, drinks, bananas — I gave it all away to them. Stuff that we take (for granted) and don’t really appreciate means the world to them. To see that today was huge for me.”"

Drummond Discusses Detroit Pistons

Drummond, who is on the verge of his sixth NBA season and his 24th birthday, is committed to improving his play and getting back to All-Star status. Hearing trade rumors and mumblings from the Detroit Pistons’ front office a year after signing a massive five-year contract worth $130 million made an impression on him. He gave a little more insight to his commitment to improving during a conference call from Johannesburg, South Africa.

"“I never had to deal with that before; it was tough for my family and me to hear those rumors. Guys who make that much money and not having the year they’re supposed to have, those talks are going to happen. I’ve accepted that,” Drummond said. “They were looking for a better option. They still have faith in me and believe that I can still carry this team to where we need to get, so I have to get that done.”"

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You can catch the rebroadcast of NBA Africa 2017 Monday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.