On Thursday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a partnership with Singapore to launch a series of basketball activities. This collaboration will begin with a multi-year arrangement with an immersive basketball and entertainment festival in June.
The festival will feature open courts, exclusive player appearances, meet-and-greet sessions, clinics, and an opportunity for fans to snap selfies with the historic Larry O’Brien Trophy awarded to NBA Finals champions.
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational, a prestigious competition comprising elite boys’ and girls’ high school teams from 11 nations and territories in Asia and the Pacific, will be a major highlight of the event.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasised the importance of the project, adding that “basketball is the second most popular sport among Asian youth.” Our goal for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational is to continue this trend and give a competitive platform for young athletes.”
NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh expects the occasion to inspire young players. “When kids witness opportunities they never imagined, it changes everything,” said the two-time NBA champion.
The NBA has been growing its presence in Asia, opening a regional office in Singapore in 2022 to supplement its existing offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai, and Shanghai.
