appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Mike Chan

The deputy head of a Hong Kong school has spoken of her pride after her team of talented youngsters was invited to take part in an NBA tournament in Singapore this month.
Heep Yunn School will test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational.
Dora Yum, the school’s vice-principal and basketball team coach, said it was an opportunity to take her players out of their “domestic bubble” and show them “what the absolute highest standard looks like”.
Returning to the city state after the inaugural event last summer, the tournament will take place at OCBC Arena from June 22 to 28 and feature teams of boys and girls aged 18 or under.
“What makes us most proud is that it is the players from our single school squad at Heep Yunn who are stepping up to represent Hong Kong,” Yum said. “For our younger players, stepping onto an international court under the NBA banner is a massive eye-opener.”

In February, Heep Yunn thrashed Ying Wa Girls’ School 72-43 in the All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Basketball Tournament final at Kai Tak Arena to clinch their 11th consecutive, and 15th overall title, in school history.
Despite dominating locally, Yum said she and her team were realistic about the challenge ahead, and the coach acknowledged that Heep Yunn and the other top Asian teams were on two “entirely different” levels.
“These teams have already played through gruelling domestic qualifying rounds in their own countries to get here, a development pathway we simply haven’t had in Hong Kong,” she said. “We expect the competition to be incredibly sharp and polished, so the expectation is not about the scoreboard.
“It’s about seeing how our school culture holds up against that gap, maintaining our discipline, and finding out what it takes to execute under elite pressure.”
Yum said she wanted her players to experience the difference in level firsthand and absorb everything they could because, there is “no better teacher” than facing opponents who have been exposed to tougher competition in their home tournaments.
“I want our players to see exactly how high the ceiling is, but more importantly, to observe and absorb the excellent daily habits of these elite international athletes - how they prepare, communicate, and conduct themselves both on and off the court,” Yum, a Heep Yunn graduate herself, said.
“Some of our girls are playing for the Hong Kong under-16 and under-18 national teams. I hope they absorb these elite habits, bring these invaluable things back, and use this experience to uplift the entire local basketball community.
“By understanding the gap we need to close and implementing these standard-setting habits back home, we can then truly transform our mindset and elevate ourselves.”
Players at the invitational will also learn during their time off the court, with a trio of NBA stars taking part in the week’s events.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, and NBA champions Mitch Richmond and Jeremy Lin are expected to be there, as is two-time WNBA champion Lauren Jackson.
The quartet will take part in a series of meet-and-greets with the young teams, and also expected to host coaching clinics and appear in several community events.
“I’m honored to be part of the second NBA Rising Stars Invitational and see some of the best high-school teams the region has to offer,” Hachimura said.
“Having played high-school basketball in Japan, I understand how meaningful opportunities like this can be at the early stages of a player’s journey, and I’m excited to be part of a programme that helps inspire the next generation of players from Asia-Pacific.”


NBA star Stephen Curry visits Hong Kong school, gives tips on dealing with self-doubt, pressure

NBA star Curry visits Hong Kong school, gives tips on dealing with self-doubt, pressure

Meet Blake Griffin’s fiancée, Francesca Aiello, who founded Frankies Bikinis

Logan Horne on upcycling Hermès and Celine scarves into shirts and homeware

NBA (National Basketball Association)

Hong Kong school’s pride at being invited to play in NBA Rising Stars event

Sum Lai-ki and her Heep Yunn School teammates are heading to Singapore to take part in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational. Photo: Handout

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational held its first tournament in Singapore last June. Photo: NBA

NBA Finals: Wembanyama says Knicks’ stunning win in Game 1 not complicated, ‘I was bad’

Jalen Brunson drove the New York Knicks to an improbable comeback in Game 1. Photo: Getty Images

New York Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns shoots between San Antonio Spurs duo Victor Wembanyama (right) and Julian Champagnie. Photo: AP

NBA star Stephen Curry ends trainer free agency, signs with Chinese sportswear firm Li Ning

NBA star Stephen Curry announced his new partnership in a series of social media posts. Photo: Instagram/stephencurry30

The are plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and China. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Basketball

Heep Yunn School to get opportunity to see what ‘absolute highest standard looks like’ in Singapore tournament


Heep Yunn School to get opportunity to see what ‘absolute highest standard looks like’ in Singapore tournament.


Jeremy Lin

Hong Kong school’s pride at being invited to play in NBA Rising Stars event

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Heep Yunn School to get opportunity to see what ‘absolute highest standard looks like’ in Singapore tournament

Heep Yunn School to get opportunity to see what ‘absolute highest standard looks like’ in Singapore tournament