The National Basketball Association on Tuesday launched the first NBA-3X — a free interactive event combining basketball and entertainment — that aims to bring an unprecedented experience to fans in four cities from September 15 to October 21.
The event — presented by Sprite in India — will visit Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai, with seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry and the Golden State Warriors dance team — the Warrior Girls — opening the event in the capital on September 15 and 16.
The tournament’s visit to Hyderabad will also mark the NBA’s first event in the city.
NBA 3X will feature the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament staged in India, with 400 teams expected to participate. The event will also include performances from a top musical artists or well-known DJ every day, with a variety of on and off court activities for fans.
The 3-on-3 tournament will have two age divisions: 16 to 18 and 18 to 23.
The winners in each city will be flown to Mumbai to compete in a national championship on October 21.
The national champions will also qualify to participate in a 2013 Fiba/NBA Asia 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
“This is the largest fan programme we have ever hosted in India and the wide range of basketball and lifestyle elements will provide memorable experiences for our fans,” said NBA India senior director of development Akash Jain.