NBA to tip off inaugural fan experience in India

MUMBAI, India -- The National Basketball Association (NBA), in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India, today tipped off NBA Jam, the league's first-ever fan event in India. Los Angeles Clippers guard Baron Davis and the New York Knicks City Dancers were on hand at Phoenix Hills Mall in Mumbai to tip off the three-city, seven-week free interactive basketball experience, which captures the excitement of the NBA through basketball activities, entertainment acts, and off-court events. The opening event will last until July 5 and then travel to seven malls across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.

"NBA Jam is a great opportunity to interact with fans and contribute to the growth of basketball around the world," said Davis. "I am excited to be in India as part of this program."

Tip-off weekend will include youth clinics led by Davis and question-and-answer sessions in which fans can ask the Clippers star anything they want to know about the life of an NBA player. To add to the excitement, the Knicks City Dancers will perform a variety of their in-game routines and will be available for autographs and photos with fans.

At NBA Jam, fans are transported to the floor of an NBA arena on Center Court, which hosts exciting skill competitions such as the EA SPORTS Shoot Out, the HP Free Throw Contest, the Reebok Shooting Star Team Contest and the Planet M Speed Shooting Contest. Fans can also test their basketball knowledge during NBA Trivia games. Off the court, fans can measure their height, wingspan and foot size to see how they compare to NBA stars.

EA SPORTS will have a significant presence throughout NBA Jam. Fans will have the chance to try their hand at the NBA Live video game. NBA Jam will also feature EA SPORTS first-ever video game tournament, with the winners from each city competing in a national tournament. Each city winner will receive a PSP game system and the national champion will win a Playstation 3.

Hewlett Packard (HP) will create a product experience onsite utilizing computers and printers, allowing fans to experience basketball through new technology at the HP Zone. Associate partner Reebok is the Official Apparel Supplier of NBA Jam and will provide event prizes. Planet M, also an associate partner, will energize the crowd from the deejay booth. Basketballs will be provided by Spalding.

"Hewlett-Packard is delighted to partner with NBA and present NBA Jam in India. The event format is exciting and youngsters will enjoy all the fun activities that will be on offer," said HP Director of Corporate Marketing Bina Raj-Debur. "The HP Zone at these events will complement the excitement with innovative products and unique opportunities for youngsters to experience them."

As part of the NBA's ongoing commitment to grow basketball across India, Davis will also conduct Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Hoop School Coaching Clinics in Mumbai and Bangalore. This will be the third series of Hoop School clinics held since the program was launched in 2008. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Hoop School is the NBA's pioneering youth grassroots program designed to promote education, basketball participation, and an active lifestyle among children in India.

About the NBA The NBA, founded in 1946, is a global sports and entertainment brand that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2008-09 season, NBA games reached 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league's worldwide reach was also reflected in the 77 international players from 33 countries and territories on NBA rosters. NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more than five million daily visits, with more than 50 percent of the site's visitors coming from outside of North America. Through NBA Cares, the league, its teams and players have donated more than $105 million to charity, provided more than 950,000 hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and created more than 415 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.