By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Stephon Marbury has been named ambassador of the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
FIBA made the announcement on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “The 2024 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is guaranteed to be an unmissable event because of its historic lineup, but the lucky fans now have two additional reasons to not miss a second of the action at the Singapore Sports Hub – the presence of a true legend and an enticing offer.
Former USA international and NBA star Stephon Marbury has been unveiled as the ambassador for the 34th edition of the tournament, that takes place from September 12-15, and will be in attendance to follow live the first-ever edition of the competition to feature clubs from all five FIBA regions.
Marbury, a bronze medalist with Team USA at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a two-time NBA All-Star, has strong ties to Asia, having been based in China since 2010, as a player and coach in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
“I’m honored to be entrusted with the role of ambassador for such a unique competition, steeped in basketball history,” said Marbury.
“The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is a celebration of the growth of our sport on a global scale. With teams from of all FIBA regions, including Oceania, competing against each other for the first time, we are guaranteed of some thrilling games and I think fans are in for a treat.
“I am looking forward to see how each continental champion will bring their unique basketball culture, playing style and philosophy to the tournament, and there’s no better place to compete than in multicultural Singapore. This is what we mean by basketball’s ability to unite people and transcend boundaries.
“Growing up, I was privileged to be surrounded by role models who provided me with invaluable advice and guidance. I hope to be able to pass this on,” Marbury added.
“I hear basketball is growing in the community in Singapore and a lot of effort has gone into developing the sport. I am really looking forward to spending time engaging with young people while I am in Singapore for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. I hope my journey can serve as an inspiration for the next generation of basketball players,” he concluded.
The organizers will graciously put in motion a promotional offer to allow for more people to catch world-class basketball live and to satisfy the massive appetite for the sport in Singapore.
Kallang Alive Sport Management, the organizer of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, announced on Tuesday that fans will enjoy free entry to all games on the first day of FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024.
Tickets for the remaining days of the tournament start from $5 for youths (18 years old and younger) and $15 for adults, with a 3-Day Pass costing $140. A 20 percent discount can be enjoyed for most categories when early-bird sales run from 10.00 am on July 9 to 11.59 pm on July 22. General sales commence at 10.00 am on July 23. (All times are Singapore Standard Time – SST).
Those fans who want to get as close to the action as possible can purchase courtside tickets at $1,488. These come with All-Star Lounge access, full-day hospitality and an invitation to the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2024 induction ceremony.
The FIBA Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place on September 14, marking the first ever time that the event is held in Singapore. USA’s Reggie Miller and Serbia’s Predrag Stojakovic headline the 2024 inductees, which also include fellow former players Miao Lijie of China, Danira Nakic-Bilic of Croatia, Kirk Samuel Penney of New Zealand, Romain Sato of Central African Republic, Skaidrite Smildzina-Budovska of Latvia and Italian-American coach Dan Peterson.
The historic dimension of the 2024 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is underlined by the fact that the reigning NBL champions, the Tasmania JackJumpers, will become the first ever team from Oceania to compete in the tournament.
The inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia winners, Al Riyadi from Lebanon, are the Asian representatives. Completing the line-up are Unicaja from Spain (Basketball Champions League winners), Angola’s Petro de Luanda (Basketball Africa League winners), Argentinian outfit Quimsa (Basketball Champions League Americas winners) and the NBA G League representative, NBA G League United.
The two groups of FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 are as follows:
Group A: Unicaja; Petro de Luanda; Al Riyadi
Group B: Quimsa; NBA G League United; Tasmania JackJumpers”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL