OTISFIELD, MAINE | On Friday, August 8, professional basketball players led by rookie Joel Embiid will host a hoops clinic for 182 young leaders from regions of conflict in the Middle East, South Asia and the United States as part of Seeds of Peace’s 12th Annual Play for Peace program.

The campers, over half of whom are Israeli and Palestinian, will get a break from their intense daily dialogue encounters and learn teamwork and hoops skills from some of the best young basketball players in the world.

Embiid, the No. 3 pick of the 2014 NBA draft, will be joined by fellow Philadelphia 76ers teammate Jerami Grant, No. 6 pick Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams. Returning again to Maine this year is veteran and NBA champion Brian Scalabrine (Celtics).

Play for Peace is being organized by Seeds of Peace board member and sports agent Arn Tellem.

“I want these players to get a chance to meet some of the bravest young people they will ever encounter,” says Tellem. “Given what is currently taking place in the Middle East, we are especially honored to support them on their courageous journey.”

Seeds of Peace inspires and equips new generations of leaders from regions of conflict with the relationships, understanding, and skills needed to advance lasting peace.