Slam Dunking in the Middle Kingdom: Jordan Brand Athletes Ignite Basketball Frenzy in China
JORDAN BRAND Continues to Grow Basketball Globally
Before Michael Jordan came along, basketball was just a sport. But after Jordan came along, basketball became unthinkable all over the world without him.
After decades of cultivating the international basketball community, JORDAN BRAND will continue its efforts to grow the sport that bears his name globally.
As part of this initiative, JORDAN BRAND athletes Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero will embark on a tour of Shanghai and Beijing to engage with local youth and foster a passion for basketball.
These athletes’ tours will take them to iconic landmarks such as Jordan World of Flight Beijing Sanlitun, the finals of the Next Stop Dongdan street basketball tournament, a youth basketball camp, and the Great Wall of China.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Jayson, Luka, Zion, and Paolo in China to celebrate the promotion of basketball and the growth of JORDAN BRAND here,” said Ali Chen, VP/GM of JORDAN BRAND China. “These players embody the greatness that JORDAN BRAND represents. This tour not only celebrates the community we’ve built in China, but also showcases the basketball culture that resonates around the world – it’s a universal language and shows that the future of this brand is limitless.”
Michael Jordan has been a popular presence on Chinese television throughout his career, dating back to the 1980s when the NBA first began televising games in China, and later visited China for the first time in 2004 as part of his tour. Since then, other NBA players have visited China annually to promote grassroots basketball, support local communities, and inspire the next generation of players.
Over the years, JORDAN BRAND has been working to continue expanding its outreach in China, from the early launch of the Jordan Wings Initiative to the development of Next Stop Dongdan and World of Flight Beijing Sanlitun.
This week’s tour furthers these efforts by demonstrating to young people the power of Jumpman and all of the greatness it represents, and marks the beginning of a new phase of expansion and international growth for the JORDAN BRAND.