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Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
S. Korea's Yongsan clinch NBA Rising Stars Invitational boys' title; Kyoto Seika win girls' crown
SINGAPORE – Heading into the final of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational at the Kallang Tennis Hub on June 29, Yongsan High School had not expected to beat their taller Chinese opponents Tsinghua University High School. But the South Korean side devised a strategy to overcome the height disadvantage and won 97-48 in front of the 1,100-capacity crowd to take home the title. Through an interpreter, tournament Most Valuable Player, 1.94m power forward Kim Min-gi said of their win: 'I'm incredibly happy, this is going to be a memory that's just going to be unforgettable for the rest of my life. 'The night before, we had a look at the Chinese team, and saw that they were really tall. So we built a game plan based off that to make sure that we were going to tackle them well during the game. 'And also the most important thing was to have that fight, because we had nothing to lose.' Yongsan had beaten Thailand's Assumption College Thonburi 84-28 and the Philippines' National University Nazareth School 84-79 in the round-robin group stage, before overcoming Japan's Fukuoka University Ohori Senior High School 75-65 in the semi-finals. Despite their height disadvantage in the final – Tsinghua's players had looked about half a head taller than Yongsan's – the South Korean side flew out of the blocks and finished the first quarter 30-14. Making use of their agility and precise shooting, Yongsan scored 12 three-pointers out of 21 attempts by half-time. The Chinese had looked sluggish and were not able to capture rebounds, allowing easy turnovers for their opponents. A change of tactics in the third (16-9) and fourth (19-15) periods saw Yongsan collect fewer points but they managed to see the game out 97-48. Kim, 17, who scored a match-high 25 points, added: 'This means a lot to me personally, and I've never expected something like this, and this was for sure to be great groundwork to my career in the future. 'We don't have a lot of NBA-related tournaments in Asia, and to win the MVP on top of that, I've nothing but good things to say about this tournament.' Yongsan coach Lee Sae-bum said: 'I thought it was important that this was going to be a great platform for the kids to strive for a challenge, to really go for those victories and learn a lot.' Kyoto Seika Gakuen High School's Ngalula Liya Mukuna scored a match high 30 points to help her team win the inaugural title. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY In the girls' final, Japan's Kyoto Seika Gakuen Senior High School thrashed South Korea's Onyang Girls' High School 109-40. Their dominance was prevalent throughout as Congolese centre Ngalula Liya Mukuna scored a match-high 30 points and captured 27 rebounds. She said via an interpreter: 'Early on, we were nervous as a team, but also we have strong hearts. 'We grew in confidence as the game wore on and for us, it's always about rebounding and hustling the loose ball. 'I want to keep improving, especially on my drives and shooting free throws, so I will keep working hard.' Her coach Tsunayoshi Yamamoto added: 'It was very humbling and this is actually our first time as Kyoto Seika basketball team to play outside of Japan and be involved in this kind of tournament. 'Looking at the other teams, especially Korea, China, Australia. They're tall and physical, so we weren't confident at all early on, but one game at a time, one win at a time, we raised our confidence.' The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is the league's first regional high school tournament, with the inaugural edition featuring 12 Under-18 teams in each gender category from 11 countries across Asia-Pacific. Singapore was represented by Anglo-Chinese Junior College and United World College Dover in the boys' category, but both did not make it out of the group stage. Hwa Chong Institution's girls had beaten Malaysia's Hin Hua High School 69-63 in their opening game but also did not advance to the knockout rounds. Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Asian basketball needs more competition to close gap on world's best, says Yao Ming
Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming speaking to the media during an interview at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational held at Kallang Tennis Hub on June 25. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Asian basketball needs more competition to close gap on world's best, says Yao Ming SINGAPORE – With no teams in the knockout rounds of the 2023 World Cup or the Paris 2024 Olympics men's tournaments, Asia continues to struggle to make an impact on the biggest stages of world basketball dominated by the United States and European teams like France and Serbia. With just four players from the largest continent – Chinese shooting guard Cui Yongxi (Brooklyn Nets), Japanese point guard Yuki Kawamura (Memphis Grizzlies), Japanese power forward Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers) and Israeli small forward Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers) – in the 2024-25 National Basketball Association (NBA) opening night rosters, Asia can be said to be also lagging behind Africa, which had 17. Widely regarded as the best Asian player in NBA history, China's Yao Ming acknowledges the gulf but believes the gap between Asia and the best in the business can narrow through more and stronger competition. The 44-year-old, who was in Singapore for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational opening ceremony at the Kallang Tennis Hub on June 25, told The Straits Times in a media huddle: 'The only way to improve is through better competition. 'Better competition will help them find out their own weaknesses and strengths, and then we need a coach and teammates to help fix it and go to the next level.' In response to a separate question from Xinhua, he added: 'For Asia, we need to interact and connect more with the rest of the world. With comparison, we can then see what we can and cannot do and figure out what we hope to achieve in the future .' Having to crouch to come through the door of the interview room, and taller than everyone present even while he was seated, the 2.29m former Houston Rockets star centre has been a towering figure in the sport as an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was also the China Basketball Association president from 2017 to 2024. Yao was encouraged by Japan's qualification for Paris 2024, South Korea's emergence and the handful of Chinese players being selected by NBA teams, with 19-year-old centre Yang Hansen tipped to be picked in the 2025 NBA Draft, which begins on June 25 (June 26, Singapore time). He said: 'He is very talented and a very nice kid. I spoke to him about four weeks ago and wished him good luck. He deserves the best with all the effort he has put into it. With all the effort, no matter what happens, the draft is just one step in his long career, so keep going. 'From what I understand, South Korea are good at three-point shooting, which is very fitting in today's basketball – run and gun and shoot the ball from behind the arc. 'Japan are also very competitive, and I believe there's a very strong programme behind it. Playing in the World Cup and Olympics brought a lot of attention... I think that will stimulate the feeling we have right now to try to catch up.' Smiley, polite and making time for every journalist to ask at least one question, Yao marvelled at LeBron James' longevity and called Rockets' new signing Kevin Durant a 'game changer' who will make his former team a top contenders next season. To raucous laughter, he quipped: 'One thing for sure is the season ticket prices will go up.' But it is basketball's next generation that remains close to his heart and Yao felt tournaments such as the NBA Rising Stars Invitational – which saw Singapore's Hwa Chong Institution edging out Malaysia's Hin Hua High School 69-63 in the girls' tournament on the opening day on June 25 – can help to raise standards in the region. Said Yao: 'When the NBA came to China back in the 1980s, it was almost 15 years before the first Chinese NBA player was drafted (when centre Wang Zhizhi was selected by Dallas Mavericks in 1999). So, that's a good sign. 'There's only one way to find out who are the better players, which is through games, and the better players only come out by playing other good players. 'I had my time back 30 years ago when I played youth games in Shanghai, China and Asia and around the world too. Now, it's these kids' time and I hope they enjoy it just like I did 30 years ago .' David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Celtics' Derrick White Makes Big Announcement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Boston Celtics get ready for a crucial offseason, the front office has a lot of work to do around the roster. Due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Boston may have to shed major salaries this summer to avoid any severe penalties. This could see the Celtics break up the core group of players that helped them win a title last season. But due to the salary issues and the Achilles injury to star Jayson Tatum, the Celtics could look very different next year. One player who has seen their name be thrown into trade talks is guard Derrick White. White has been an instrumental piece to the Celtics' overall success and has become a fan favorite in Boston. Boston isn't likely to trade White, barring an offer that they can't refuse. But ahead of the offseason, the Celtics guard did make an announcement. White will be participating in the NBA's 2025 Basketball Without Borders program. The guard will be joined by a few other NBA players, notably Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, center Duop Reath of the Portland Trail Blazers, and WNBA legend Ticha Penicheiro. NEW: Derrick White is headed to Singapore next week to coach a Basketball Without Borders camp for some of the top youth players in Asia-Pacific. More for @celticsblog: — Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) June 13, 2025 White will be going to Singapore between June 19-22, and will work with NBA assistant coaches as well. Vinay Bhavnani of the Toronto Raptors, Jared Dudley of the Dallas Mavericks, Ronald Nored of the Atlanta Hawks, and Khalid Robinson of the Golden State Warriors will all be there. Basketball Without Borders is a basketball camp that is organized by the NBA =, in conjunction with FIBA. The program hosts camps across 33 different countries, helping to interact with more than 4,600 participants. Troy Justice, the NBA's senior vice president and head of International Basketball Operations, released a statement on the program. "Bringing Basketball Without Borders back to Singapore reflects our commitment to growing the game in the country and across Asia-Pacific," Justice said. "This year's camp is particularly special, as it will coincide with our new basketball and entertainment festival and the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, our first regional high-school basketball tournament. We look forward to a memorable week of events that will leave a lasting impact on fans and players from across the region." BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 14, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts More Photo byThis should be a cool experience for White, and allows him to five back to the basketball world. White is a do-everything type of player on the court, and he has built out a solid career for himself. The veteran guard is loved in Boston, and it's more than likely that he will return next season, even with all the rumors going around. Boston can't afford to lose a player like him, especially if they want to still compete for a title next season. More NBA news: Nuggets' Russell Westbrook Makes a Surprising Decision on NBA Future Celtics Could Have Perfect Trade Partner With New Jrue Holiday Rumors For more news and stories on the NBA, visit NBA on Newsweek.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White to participate in 2025 Basketball Without Borders
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White to participate in 2025 Basketball Without Borders Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White will be participating in the NBA's 2025 Basketball Without Borders program, per a release circulated by the team on Friday. The Colorado native will be joined by Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Portland Trail Blazers big man Duop Reath, and WNBA icon Ticha Penichiero. This group will work with the top prospects coming out of the Asia-Pacific region in Singapore between June 19-22 under the auspices of the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) while working with current NBA assistant coaches Vinay Bhavnani of the Toronto Raptors, Jared Dudley of the Dallas Mavericks, Ronald Nored of the Atlanta Hawks and Khalid Robinson of the Golden State Warriors. The event will close with the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, billed as "the league's first regional high-school basketball tournament that will feature boys' and girls' teams from 11 countries across Asia-Pacific competing at the Kallang Tennis Hub" by the release.
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis, WNBA legend Lauren Jackson headline Rising Stars event in S'pore
SINGAPORE – Three-time National Basketball Association All-Star Domantas Sabonis is looking forward to catching the budding basketball talent from Asia at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational tournament in Singapore later in June. The Sacramento Kings centre said: 'I'm incredibly excited to be a part of the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore. 'Basketball is a global game, and I look forward to watching the next generation of Asia's top boys' and girls' players compete against their peers on this new stage.' The 29-year-old Lithuanian is among the star-studded cast coming for the annual regional high-school tournament featuring Under-18 teams from 11 countries across the Asia-Pacific at the Kallang Tennis Hub from June 25 to 29. Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) legend Lauren Jackson is also thrilled to be coming to Singapore. The 44-year-old Australian star, whose 11-year stint with WNBA side Seattle Storm reaped two championships and three Most Valuable Player awards, said: 'Getting to travel to play the game is a blessing, and I'm thrilled to visit Singapore...' Joining the duo at the event are Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro from the Phoenix Suns, and Keisei Tominaga from Japan's Eight-time NBA All-Star and China's basketball legend Yao Ming will also be making special appearances, including at the opening ceremony on June 25. Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution, the National School Games A Division boys and girls' champions respectively, and United World College South-east Asia (Dover Road), will represent Singapore at the tournament. The other teams will come from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. Top players at the tournament will be given the chance to attend future NBA development camps, showcases and programmes. The event will also features live entertainment, including performances by the Lakers Girls, the dance team from the Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat mascot Burnie. The invitational tournament is one of the initiatives of NBA's multi-year collaboration with Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
