Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

A THREE-DAY international youth basketball exchange program concluded in Shenzhen on Saturday, bringing together 128 Chinese teenagers with NBA royalty and offering a cross-cultural experience that extended far beyond the court.

The program was hosted by the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, NBA Sacramento Kings, MEBO Group, and the California Capital Sacramento China Office, and was organized by the Shenzhen Sports School.

NBA Hall of Famer Vlade Divac and fellow Kings legend Peja Stojaković headlined the delegation, engaging with students in meet-and-greet sessions, while Kings coaching staff delivered hands-on training and led scrimmages throughout the three-day program.

“It’s not my first time in Shenzhen. I’m very familiar with the area. It’s exciting to be back,” Divac said. “Honestly, the kids love basketball. They’re working hard to develop their game, and hopefully in the future I can see a few of them on the international stage.”

The program immersed participants in a full-scale American-style youth training curriculum, emphasizing technical skill development, teamwork, and competitive intensity. For the young players, it was a rare opportunity to experience professional-level coaching from a top NBA franchise.

“For us teenagers who love basketball, having such an opportunity to see role models up close is very precious,” said Lin Miaohui, a student at Shenzhen Foreign Languages School. “It’s very inspiring for our passion for basketball and personal development in the future.”

Fellow student Zheng Ziye echoed that sentiment, noting the broader impact of the exchange. “The arrival of the two basketball stars at our school gave me more international perspective while also deepening my understanding of basketball culture,” Zheng said. “We connected with each other through basketball and sports.”

The event transcended traditional athletic competition, crafting a multidimensional exchange that included technology demonstrations, university seminars, campus interactions, and city tours.

The U.S. delegation visited DJI, the Shenzhen-based drone pioneer, to observe the city’s innovation ecosystem, and engaged in cultural and sports dialogues at Shenzhen University. Evening excursions to Shenzhen Talent Park offered glimpses into the city’s modern urban landscape.