The NBA's effort to promote the sport of basketball in Africa is not going to end with this year's edition of the NBA Africa Game. Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the association intend to take it a step further by establishing a Pan-African basketball league in the continent.

This is definitely exciting news, but even Silver himself has admitted that Africa is not ready for such a monumental step just yet.

“One of the opportunities we're exploring is the development of a Pan-African basketball league. It's still in its very early stages; the arena infrastructure is not yet in place to support a full-fledged league,” stated Silver, per Lindsay du Plessis of ESPN.

Nonetheless, the NBA are very serious about this prospect, and are looking to deliver on their commitment in the near future.

“I met with Patrick Bauman [secretary general of FIBA] yesterday and he said he would be supportive of the concept as well,” added Silver. “It's in the very early stages, but as I leave the continent in a few days, I'm leaving my charge to [NBA managing director for Africa Amadou Gallo Fall] and his colleagues in Johannesburg to develop a fully-fledged plan.”

Africa has always been a great source of talent for the league. Nigerian Hakeem Olajuwon and Democratic Republic of Congo native Dikembee Mutombo are two of the greatest Africans to have played in the NBA. Of recent time, names like Joel Embiid (Senegal), Serge Ibaka (Congo), and Bismack Biyombo (Congo) are just some of the active NBA players who hail from or have African roots.