Rising stars show their class and style

Five years ago, Oso Ighodaro — currently a Phoenix Suns rookie — delivered one of the most dominant performances in Arizona high school basketball history, leading his team to a state championship with a jaw-dropping 32-point, 11-rebound, 10-block masterpiece.

Yet, despite his elite talent, the game-changing star lamented how rare it was for high school players like him to compete internationally and test themselves against unknown opponents from different basketball cultures.

This past week, 23 boys' and girls' teams from across 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region lived out what Ighodaro could only dream of back then — traveling to Singapore for the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational, which is the association's first-ever regional high school basketball tournament.

The Kallang Tennis Hub transformed into a melting pot of young talent, where players of different ethnicities, languages and physiques competed on the same hardwood. Energized by the Los Angeles Lakers' Laker Girls dance team and Miami Heat mascot Burnie, local fans enjoyed several days of NBA-caliber entertainment, albeit from players with fresher faces.

The tournament ran from June 25-29, featuring round-robin group play and concluding with semifinals and championship games.

Off the court, high school players including those from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore participated in skill development sessions, cultural exchange programs and community outreach initiatives.

The event also featured a stellar lineup of VIP guests, including NBA legend Yao Ming, three-time NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, two-time WNBA champion Lauren Jackson and Phoenix Suns players Ryan Dunn and Ighodaro.

Throughout the tournament, the basketball stars actively engaged with the young participants through various on — and offcourt activities.

"The hope is that these players can learn from their peers, learn from the NBA coaches or the WNBA talent that we bring in. These players and coaches can offer guidance and tips on how to improve their game and, most importantly, how to have fun," said Sheila Rasu, NBA Asia's head of marketing and communications.