The National Basketball Association said Thursday it was collaborating with Singapore to bring a series of basketball initiatives to the city-state, including an invitational for the Asia Pacific’s best young players.

The NBA is working with Singaporean authorities to begin the multi-year partnership by holding an immersive basketball and entertainment festival in the city from June 25 to 29.

The festival will feature open courts, player appearances, meet-and-greet sessions, exclusive clinics and photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the championship trophy awarded to the winning team of the NBA Finals.

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The highlight will be the NBA Rising Stars Invitational tournament to be held at Kallang Alive Precinct, which will feature leading boys’ and girls’ high school teams from 11 countries–including the Philippines–and territories across the region.

In a video message, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said: “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.”

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The tournament “will help accelerate and elevate the basketball ecosystem in Asia-Pacific while serving as a viable pathway for players to receive additional basketball training,” he added.

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NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh said the event would have a huge impact on young players.

“I think for the kids that will be coming here for the Rising Stars Challenge, it is going to be phenomenal because it is going to take them to new heights,” said the two-time NBA champion.

“When a child with a big, huge imagination sees things that they didn’t know existed, that elevates everything and you’re going to see some of those kids inspired.”

The NBA expanded its presence in the region by opening an office in Singapore in 2022, joining other offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai and Shanghai. –with reports from INQUIRER.net