HONG KONG, August 16, 2007 – NBA rising star T.J Ford of the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey Nets Dancers, and Sly, mascot of the New Jersey Nets, will host NBA Madness for Singapore fans at VELOCITY@Novena Square from August 31 to September 2, 2007. Fans will also have the opportunity to see the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy as part of the DHL-NBA Trophy Tour.

T.J. Ford, a member of the 2003-04 NBA All-Rookie second team, will participate in on-court basketball competitions and interact with fans. One of the key players who helped the Raptors clinch the Atlantic Division title during the 2006-07 season, Ford will also conduct basketball clinics, skills training demonstrations, and share basketball tips and insights with fans and local players on what it takes to be successful in the sport.

The New Jersey Nets Dance Team will entertain the crowd with their explosive and energetic performances, while Sly will delight fans with his impromptu comedy, cheerleading, and high-flying dunking skills.

The DHL-NBA Trophy Tour will be one of the most exciting elements to celebrate this basketball festival. DHL and the NBA team up to bring the ultimate symbol of NBA champions – the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy – to Singapore for the first time, giving NBA fans the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the coveted trophy, the ultimate prize for which NBA players strive all season.

NBA Madness, the NBA’s interactive basketball lifestyle event, promotes basketball in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Fans can showcase their hoop skills and enjoy NBA entertainment through a series of activities:
- NBA 3-On-3 – The battleground for some of Singapore's best ballers! Which teams will have what it takes to be crowned Kings of the Court?
- EA NBA Live Game Zone – Fans test their virtual basketball skills as they play one-on-one against other gamers. The best players will compete for exciting prizes!
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest powered by ESPN Star Sports – Players take to the air as they try to bring the house down with awesome aerial moves.
- DHL Delivery Passing Game – Players attempt to quickly deliver the ball through the life-size NBA player targets. Contestants who complete the three passes in the shortest times win the game.
- NBA Madness Basketball Clinic -- Basketball fans from 14 to 16 years of age can get the chance to learn basketball skills from one of the NBA’s best. T.J. Ford holds court for a special youth basketball clinic at NBA Madness.
- NBA Fan Zone – Showcase the latest authentic NBA merchandise in this dedicated retail booth. Capture a piece of the NBA lifestyle everywhere you go!

Associate partners of NBA Madness Singapore are DHL, Electronic Arts, ESPN Star Sports and the Singapore Sports Council. Supporting partners are VELOCITY@Novena Square, adidas, Spalding, Marina Mandarin and the Singapore Tourism Board. For more information, please visit the NBA Madness Singapore webpage on NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/global/singapore/madness07.html).

NBA Madness Singapore is part of the inaugural NBA Madness Asia Tour. The Tour will travel to six countries and territories from June 9 to September 2, and will bring authentic NBA interactive basketball activities to thousands of fans across Asia. The summer basketball touring festival tipped off in Taiwan on June 9 with NBA Madness on the Move (June 9 to August 12) and will roll into the Philippines (June 15 to July 22), Japan (July 27 to 29), Korea (August 3 to 5), Hong Kong (August 17 to 19) and Singapore (August 31 to September 2).

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 2006-07 season, the NBA will distribute 45,000 hours of programming to 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league’s worldwide reach can also be seen with 83 international players on NBA rosters.

As fans witness tremendous performances on the court, some of the NBA’s most significant efforts occur off the court. NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. During the first year of NBA Cares, teams, current and former players, and the league office contributed 205,000 hours of hands-on volunteer service, raised more than $32 million for charity, and created 109 places where kids and families can live, learn or play.