NBA Africa and Hennessy, the world’s most popular cognac, have announced that NBA Crossover will be held for the first time in Africa on Saturday, February 5, at Landmark Beach Front in Lagos, Nigeria.
The NBA Crossover is an invite-only lifestyle event highlighting the NBA’s intersection with popular culture through art, fashion, music, and technology.
The first floating basketball court in Africa will exhibit at Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos from February 3-5 as part of NBA Crossover. Hennessy will also be a Presenting Partner of a celebrity basketball game, including Nigerian musicians, performers, and media personalities, on February 5 at Landmark Beach Front. Other regular-season matches are ongoing, and fans worldwide can take advantage of the live betting option offered on all matches.
As part of their and Lagos State’s commitment to giving citizens in the state access to sports, NBA Africa and Hennessy will also gift a basketball court to the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency at Ikorodu Recreational Park.
“We at Hennessy are thrilled to partner with NBA Africa to create this unforgettable experience in Lagos. Nigeria is such an important market for both Hennessy and the NBA, and this event is something we’ve been looking forward to for some time,” said Hennessy President & CEO Laurent Boillot.
“The NBA and Hennessy have made a huge impact on urban culture across the globe, and this partnership event in Lagos will again showcase that our collective influence moves far beyond the court. Over the past year, Hennessy has partnered with the NBA to showcase courts in iconic locations in Australia, China, and the UK, and it is now time for Nigeria to enter the game.”
The NBA Crossover showcase is a fantastic example of basketball’s worldwide effect on culture, and it shows that this impact extends well beyond the basketball court.
NBA Africa’s CEO Victor Williams spoke about how appropriate it is for Nigeria to host the first event of its kind in Africa. Currently there are hundreds of Nigerians playing in the NBA, and Betway fans in Nigeria pride in wagering on games involving their own.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the NBA’s landmark 75th Anniversary Season with Hennessy in such iconic fashion. Nigerian players have had a tremendous impact on basketball and the NBA, and it is only fitting that we host our first NBA Crossover event on the continent in Lagos, where there is already tremendous talent and passion for the game,” said Williams.
According to Gbemisola Abudu, NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head of Nigeria, this NBA Crossover event is a watershed moment in the evolution of basketball in Nigeria and is in keeping with NBA Africa’s developmental mission.
Hennessy has honored people who reflect the “Never Stop. Never Settle” spirit, which is exemplified by the NBA’s steadfast dedication to moving culture ahead, for more than 250 years. Hennessy will honor the heritage and culture of basketball fans across Africa through various consumer events, activations, and localized content during the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Season.
Although NBA Africa was just established last year, the NBA Crossover showcase shows that it is making strides and may potentially lead to regular-season NBA games being played on the continent. Betway continues to present all NBA action throughout the season.