The United States Department of State has named NBA star Wayne Ellington, who played for Brooklyn Nets last season, and WNBA veteran Sue Wicks, a former New York Liberty player who currently works as a collegiate basketball coach, as sports envoys to visit Phnom Penh from July 12-17.

The two basketball stars will participate in a range of activities during a trip that has been designed to promote one of the world’s most popular sports in Cambodia.The 28-year-old Ellington and the 50-year-old Wicks will share their expertise and experience with the Cambodian basketball community in such important areas as teamwork, communication and self-esteem, as well as imparting vital life lessons that can be learned through basketball.

According to the Facebook page of the Cambodia Basketball Federation (CBF), the US Embassy in Phnom Penh has been working together with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, the CBF and the Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia to host the two envoys and organise an array of activities throughout the week.

Among notable events planned for the envoys is a visit to the Wat Koh High School in the capital for a basketball court renovation project and a special event at the Olympic Stadium replete with basketball games and music performances.

Wayne Ellington was selected 28th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft. He spent last year with the Brooklyn Nets and has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Sue Wicks was a first-round selection by the New York Liberty in the WNBA’s inaugural draft in 1997. Wicks went on to play six seasons with the Liberty, earning an All-Star selection in 2000.

She also was the recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2000 and finished her WNBA career in all-time eighth place in blocked shots.