Utah Jazz: Boozer headed to Africa for charity

Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009 11:13 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

Nobody knows where Carlos Boozer will end up next basketball season.

Utah? Detroit? New Jersey? Canada?

But one of his future destinations is now known.

Though he might no longer be a member of the Jazz when it happens, the power forward is headed to Africa to be a charitable ambassador of sorts for the NBA this summer.

Boozer and fellow 2008 Team USA teammates Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh will participate in the league's annual Basketball without Borders program in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Sept. 2-6.

The BWB program, according to a news release, aims to develop basketball globally by creating "positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness."

Camps will also be held in China and Mexico this year.

Former BYU basketball player Austin Ainge, who spent last year as an NBA scout for the Boston Celtics after a stint as a Southern Utah assistant coach, will also participate in the program as a coach. Ainge, son of Boston general manager Danny Ainge, is headed to Mexico with a group that will include Mexican native Eduardo Najera of the New Jersey Nets.

Yao Ming will headline the group in Beijing.

Story continues below

Jazz guard Kyle Korver took part in Basketball without Borders last year in India.

"Basketball without Borders helps us to grow the game of basketball and bring attention to important social issues that affect communities around the world," said Kathleen Behrens, NBA executive vice president of Social Responsibility and Player Programs. "We know that by teaching the values of the game — teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work and healthy living, our current and former players and coaches can also make a lasting impact on communities in need."

The NBA, FIBA and national federations will select the best youth players ages 19 and under from Asia, Latin America and Africa to participate in the camps.

The pro players and coaches will also work with NBA Cares, which the league calls its "social responsibility initiative," and nonprofit organizations for charity programs.

FEELING SLIGHTED?: ESPN.com writer John Hollinger gets grief (read: an inbox full of angry e-mails) from some Lakers fans even when he writes what he calls "innocuous comments" about LeBron James because the L.A. faithful apparently feel Kobe Bryant is getting slighted in the process.

It kinda reminds Hollinger of his relationship with Jazz fans.

Recent comments

Maybe he'll get to play a little...

Unlike the Olympics!

Bill | June 6, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.

I agree with everything you said. No wonder he wants out of Utah....

Re:Bob2 | June 6, 2009 at 6:53 a.m.

sure......they are not watching and would not even notice if they did.

todd to yanken | June 6, 2009 at 2:07 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Gifts for gamers

There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.

Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet

Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...

Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...

The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...

BCS stable at top, Y. up to 14

TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...

Notre Dame fires Weis

Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...

I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...

Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal

quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.

Understanding translation process

I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

Advertisements