SINGAPORE – The inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational is set to tip off on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Kallang Tennis Hub in Singapore, marking the first regional high-school basketball tournament organized by the NBA. This five-day immersive event will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 11 countries across Asia-Pacific, offering an exciting opportunity for the region’s youth athletes to showcase their skills on an international stage.

A Historic Event for Asia-Pacific Basketball

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is part of the NBA’s ongoing collaboration with Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), aiming to further develop and promote basketball in the region. The event will feature round-robin play from June 25-27, with semifinals and finals set to take place on June 28 and 29, respectively.

“This is a historic event, and we’re thrilled to bring together high-school athletes from across Asia-Pacific for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational,” said NBA Singapore. “It’s a pivotal moment for the sport as we continue to engage and inspire the next generation of basketball talent in the region.”

The Building Ball Trophy

As part of the competition, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational will crown the first-ever boys’ and girls’ champions, each receiving a unique trophy – The Building Ball. Designed by renowned artist Victor Solomon, the trophy is an innovative construction of a basketball with etched slats and star motifs representing both the tournament and the host city of Singapore.

Key Participants and Special Appearances

The event will feature six current and former NBA and WNBA players, including:

• Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings; Lithuania)

• Lauren Jackson (Australia)

• Ryan Dunn (Phoenix Suns; USA)

• Oso Ighodaro (Phoenix Suns; USA)

• Keisei Tominaga (Japan)

• Yao Ming (China) will make special appearances, including attending the opening ceremony on June 25, alongside other legends.

These players will engage with participants, offering mentoring, skills development, and meet-and-greet opportunities throughout the event.

Festival Highlights and Fan Experiences

Beyond the tournament itself, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational will be part of a larger basketball and entertainment festival featuring:

• Player appearances and meet-and-greets

• Open court sessions

• Photo ops with authentic NBA memorabilia including the Larry O’Brien Trophy

• Performances by Laker Girls and Burnie the Miami Heat mascot

The NBA Fan Zone at the Kallang Tennis Hub will offer fans interactive experiences and access to more than 700 square meters of basketball-related activities and entertainment.

Regional Impact and Global Reach

The tournament is also set to engage a broad audience across Asia-Pacific with 13 media partners covering the event:

• Australia: basketball.com.au

• China: CCTV, Kuaishou, Migu, SMG, Tencent

• Indonesia: Emtek

• Japan: SoftBank

• Malaysia: Astro

• Mongolia: PSN

• Philippines: Cignal

• Singapore: Mediacorp

• Thailand: TrueVisions

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational: A Step Forward for Youth Basketball

The event is expected to create millions of impressions across social media, already generating over 43 million impressions and 35 million video views since its announcement in February 2025. Additionally, over 150 local volunteers will assist in the seamless execution of this highly anticipated event, while more than 50 basketball scouts and 60 media members will be present to witness the action.

The tournament also highlights cultural exchange and community involvement, as participants will be engaged in skill development and social responsibility programming. In total, 220 high-school players will compete in the event, with top individual performers receiving opportunities to attend future NBA basketball development camps.