Basketball Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria today confirmed that Mr Yao Ming will accompany Team China to Melbourne for the BALLIN’24 series starting on Tuesday at John Cain Arena.
Yao Ming is the President of the Basketball Association of the People’s Republic of China and will be in Melbourne as his teams take on the Boomers, Seven Consulting Opals and Gangurrus.
Yao Ming is one of the most decorated basketballers globally, he is an eight-time NBA All Star, a three-time Olympian, FIBA Hall of Fame member and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee.
Yao Ming was in Sydney for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022 and he is looking forward to his visit to Melbourne.
“I’m excited to be in Melbourne to support the Chinese basketball teams and watch them take on Australia next week. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the Chinese fans at the games supporting Team China and hopefully see some of this beautiful country,” Yao Ming said.
Basketball CEO Matt Scriven is delighted to welcome Yao Ming and the Chinese teams as we prepare for the Olympics next month.
“We have a very good relationship with the Basketball Association of the People’s Republic of China, we have a very healthy respect for them as competitors and together we will work to increase the profile of basketball in the Asian region. We warmly welcome Yao Ming and his teams to Melbourne for the games at John Cain Arena, we look forward to all the Chinese and Australian fans coming to enjoy great basketball,” said Scriven.
Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Ros Spence highlighted that international stars like Yao Ming help bring the crowds to major events.
“It is terrific to welcome Team China and international basketball star Yao Ming to Melbourne, stars like Yao help get even more people to our jam-packed events like Ballin’ 24.”
GAME DETAILS
All Australian national teams including Boomers, Seven Consulting Opals, men’s and women’s Gangurrus, Australian Rollers and Australian Gliders will compete for four days at John Cain Arena from July 2-5 at BALLIN’24
Tickets available via Ticketek here.