– High-School Basketball Tournament Featuring Teams from Across Asia-Pacific in Collaboration with Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board Will Take Place at OCBC Arena from June 22-28 –
– NBA Champion Jeremy Lin and WNBA Champion Lauren Jackson to Attend –
The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that the second annual NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the league’s high-school basketball tournament featuring boys’ and girls’ teams from across Asia-Pacific, will return to Singapore from Monday, June 22 – Sunday, June 28 at OCBC Arena.
Held in collaboration with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and operated by the event agencies of NBA Singapore, this year’s event will feature 12 boys’ and 12 girls’ teams of youth ages 18 and under competing in round-robin play before advancing to single-elimination competition. NBA champion Jeremy Lin and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion Lauren Jackson will headline the event and interact with the participants throughout the week.
The participating teams will be identified in collaboration with national basketball federations and leagues and through local qualifying tournaments in Bangkok, Melbourne, Taipei and Tokyo. As the host city, Singapore will be represented by two teams in each division. The participating players will also take part in skill development sessions, social impact programming and off-court activities promoting cultural exchange. Top individual performers from the event will have the opportunity to attend future NBA basketball development camps, showcases and programs.
“The inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational in 2025 was an outstanding success, with 22 teams from 11 countries competing, more than 9,000 local and international spectators catching the action live, and many more watching online. This year’s tournament builds on last year’s success and will be a platform that connects youths across borders and sharpens their skills, through high-level competition and elite mentorship from NBA talents and legends. We look forward to witnessing students who have qualified through Singapore’s largest annual inter-school competition take centre stage alongside our region’s top youth talents, showcasing the next generation of top basketball players on home ground," stressed Dean Tan, Sports Singapore Deputy Chief of Industry Development Group.
Organizers will announce additional current and former NBA players before the event, and they will join Lin and Jackson. The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will also feature a range of activities for fans of all ages, including community outreach initiatives, photo opportunities, authentic NBA memorabilia, player appearances and meet-and-greet sessions, exclusive clinics, as well as live entertainment and interactive fan experiences.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore. There is so much young talent across Asia-Pacific, and I’m proud to be part of an event that shines a spotlight on some of the region’s top prospects. Helping shape the next generation is a cause I’m deeply committed to, and I hope my journey encourages these rising stars to make the most of this opportunity and ultimately contribute to greater Asian representation at the highest levels of the game," said Lin.
SportSG, STB and Karim Family Foundation support the NBA Rising Stars Invitational.
Additional information about the NBA Rising Stars Invitational 2026, including the full list of participating teams, ticket information, marketing partners and media partners, will be announced in the coming months. For the latest news and updates about the event, visit www.nbarisingstarsinvitational.com and follow the NBA Rising Stars Invitational on Instagram and YouTube.
“The inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational set a benchmark for high-school basketball in Asia-Pacific. As we return to Singapore for the consecutive second year, we look forward to delivering another unforgettable week of programming featuring some of the region’s best young talent, brought to life through the NBA’s signature mix of sports and family-friendly entertainment," said NBA Asia Head of Southeast Asia Shiela Rasu.
“We are delighted to welcome the return of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational to Singapore. The tournament enhances Singapore’s vibrant events landscape and reinforces our position as a premier sporting destination. We look forward to hosting the young athletes from across Asia-Pacific alongside their families and friends, as well as NBA players. Beyond the competition, we hope they will create memorable experiences, forge meaningful connections, and draw inspiration from their time in Singapore," added Lilian Chee, Singapore Tourism Board Director of Sports.
