New Multiday Basketball and Entertainment Festival to launch in June, culminating in the first-ever NBA Rising Stars Invitational
The National Basketball Association (NBA), in partnership with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has announced a multiyear collaboration to bring a series of NBA events to Singapore. The collaboration will debut this June with a multiday immersive basketball and entertainment festival, culminating in the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the league’s first regional high-school basketball tournament. The event will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 10 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, including India, competing at Kallang Alive Precinct from June 25 – June 29.
The announcement was made in Singapore at an official event attended by NBA Asia executives, SportSG CEO Alan Goh, STB Chief Executive Melissa Ow, and two-time NBA champion and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member Chris Bosh.
A Regional High-School Tournament Like No Other
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will bring together standout high-school teams for youth aged 18 and under. The five-day competition will begin with round-robin play before transitioning to single-elimination rounds, with the semi-finals and finals set for June 28 and 29.
Beyond competition, the event will provide a holistic development experience for players, incorporating skill-building sessions, social responsibility programming, and off-court cultural exchange activities.
NBA Asia Managing Director Wayne Chang highlighted the tournament’s importance for basketball development in the region.
“Basketball is the second most-played sport amongst youth in Asia, and our goal with the NBA Rising Stars Invitational is to build on that momentum and provide a stage for top players to compete alongside and against their peers from across the region,” said Chang.
“The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will help accelerate and elevate the basketball ecosystem in Asia-Pacific while serving as a viable pathway for players to receive additional basketball training. We look forward to working with SportSG and STB to bring NBA Rising Stars Invitational and other exciting events to Singapore.”
A Festival That Goes Beyond the Court
Alongside the tournament, the event will feature a basketball and entertainment festival headlined by current and former NBA and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players, whose names will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
Fans will be able to participate in a variety of interactive activities, including:
- Community outreach programs
- Open basketball courts for public participation
- Photo opportunities with authentic NBA memorabilia, including The Larry O’Brien Trophy
- Meet-and-greet sessions with basketball legends
- Exclusive basketball clinics
- Live entertainment and immersive experiences
The participating teams in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational will be selected in collaboration with local basketball federations and leagues, with some countries hosting qualifying events to determine their representatives. As the host nation, Singapore will have two teams in each division.
“SportSG is excited to partner with the NBA to create an immersive festival of basketball for all during the June holidays,” said Alan Goh, CEO of SportSG.
“Held at the Kallang Alive Precinct and at various locations in our community, this two-week festival will rally the basketball fraternity and create opportunities for all to enjoy the sport that they love. Fans can look forward to a vibrant calendar featuring activities like exclusive clinics by NBA legends and coaches for our ActiveSG Basketball Academy participants, meet-and-greet sessions with renowned basketball players, and fan experiences at various locations around the island for all to enjoy.”
“Basketball enthusiasts who would like to catch more high-octane games can also watch the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational that will feature more than 20 youth teams from across the region—including four teams made up of players from Singapore’s local and international schools.”
“Through this multi-year partnership with the NBA, we aim to elevate basketball – one of Singapore’s most popular team sports – to the next level, inspire our next generation of players, and fuel our nation’s passion for this game.”
Singapore as a Global Sporting Hub
Singapore has been positioning itself as a key player in the global sports and tourism industry, and this new collaboration further strengthens its reputation as a premier sporting destination.
“The NBA’s presence in Singapore enriches our city’s dynamic offerings and solidifies our standing as a premier sporting destination,” said Melissa Ow, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board.
“We are delighted to host the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore this June. We look forward to welcoming some of the best youth teams in Asia and their families to our shores and hope that they will create lasting memories exploring the myriad experiences Singapore has to offer beyond the courts.”
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will also provide top-performing players with future opportunities in NBA basketball development camps, showcases, and programs, furthering their chances of making it to professional leagues.
NBA’s Growing Presence in Asia-Pacific
The NBA has been expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific, opening an office in Singapore in 2022 to strengthen its youth development programs, fan engagement efforts, and live game distribution in the region.
The league continues to invest in grassroots basketball programs such as:
- Jr. NBA, which has reached more than 100 million youth and coaches across Asia since 2007.
- NBA Basketball School, providing structured training programs for aspiring players.
- Basketball Without Borders, a global basketball development and outreach initiative.
NBA legend Chris Bosh, who attended the announcement, spoke about the significance of such programs in shaping young talent.
A 6’11” forward/centre, Bosh was selected 4th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and went on to win back-to-back NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. The 11-time NBA All-Star was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
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