Forward Harrison Barnes and point guard Dennis Smith Jr. are representing the Mavericks this week in South Africa for Basketball Without Borders, although Smith had some flight issues and as of this morning had yet to join Barnes and other NBA players.
Barnes, however, participated in a media conference call from Johannesburg. Barnes told us this is the first time he has been in South Africa. Joining him on this trip are his wife, mother, in-laws and his sister-in-law, the latter of whom lives in Johannesburg.
"It's been a mini-family reunion," Barnes said. He spoke eloquently about what it means to him to be in South Africa for a week of outreach, community building and Saturday's NBA Africa Game, which will air on ESPN2 at 10 a.