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Current Mavericks and Rockets players and NBA legends join together
to engage with Macao youth and inspire positive growth
, /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of The NBA China Games 2026, Sands China and NBA Cares held the Tip-OffDay as part of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” today at The Venetian Arena. Embodying a shared spirit of care for the community, the event brought together around 400 participants, including current players from the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets; NBA executives, legends and coaches; executives and team members from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, members of local school basketball teams, and local and international media. Together, they extended the impact of world-class basketball event beyond the court and into the community. Through personal sharing by NBA players, a basketball clinic, and goodie bag packing, today’s event brought energy, care and warmth to different sectors of the Macao community.
During the event, the Mavericks and Rockets players took on the role of youth mentors, engaging with students from two championship teams of the Macao Inter-School Basketball Competition: the Girls D Division team of Keang Peng School and Boys D Division team of Colégio dom Bosco (Yuet Wah). The NBA players also shared with local students the journeys of pursuing their dreams and experiences from their professional basketball careers, inspiring local students through the perseverance, determination and relentless dedication that underpin the success of elite athletes. Players and coaches from both NBA teams then led local students in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching in practical techniques.
Throughout the clinic, players engaged closely with the students, instilling the values of sportsmanship and teamwork. The event also offered Macao youth a valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing their basketball skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their aspirations and strive for excellence.
The Tip-Off event was also attended by two NBA legends: Yao Ming, eight-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA Team, and 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, as well as chairman of the Yao Foundation, and Shawn Marion, 2011 NBA champion, four-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team. Both legends engaged with participants on-site, bringing further care and inspiration to the Impact Week.
Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd., and governor of the Dallas Mavericks, said: “For more than two decades, we have grown alongside Macao and remained steadfast in our confidence in the city. For us, the value of major international sporting events extends well beyond what takes place inside the arena. Their lasting significance lies in their ability to contribute to social progress and the development of the city. Last year, we brought The NBA China Games back to Macao, adding to the city’s growing portfolio of internationally renowned sporting events, while harnessing the power of sport to bring communities together, inspire young people and foster international exchange. This year, we are once again bringing together Sands Cares and NBA Cares to extend the impact of this major sporting event into the Macao community, enabling people of different ages, backgrounds and sectors to experience the spirit and positive energy of the NBA.
“We sincerely thank the Central People’s Government, the Macao SAR Government and all sectors of the community for their longstanding support, which enables us to continue extending the benefits of major events throughout the community. Looking ahead, we will continue to leverage the international network of Las Vegas Sands and Sands China’s integrated resort platform and pursue innovative, forward-looking approaches to further deepening the cross-sector ‘Tourism+’ development, supporting the development of a harmonious and inclusive community in Macao, and injecting continued momentum into Macao’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, said: “I want to particularly thank Patrick Dumont and Sands China for all they have done to make this event possible and the NBA players and teams for making this trip and being here. This means a lot to all of us and so much to the Macao community. There is no substitute for experiencing Macao in person. And to all the boys and girls here today, this event is really about you. Wherever the NBA goes around the world, we want to create opportunities for young people who love the game. Basketball teaches teamwork, respect and discipline, and these are lessons that can help you achieve whatever goals you set for yourselves in life, not just in basketball. My message to all of you is to dream big. That’s what so many great NBA players did. They had a dream and pursued it. So take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the inspiring people around you today, and use the lessons you gain through sports to pursue your own dreams.”
Patrick Fertitta, vice chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, said: “On behalf of the Houston Rockets, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Adam Silver, Patrick Dumont along with Sands China, as well as all our partners for making this meaningful week possible. We are delighted to join the Mavericks and the wider NBA community in Macao, not only to celebrate the game of basketball, but also to demonstrate how sport can inspire young people and create a positive impact in the community. We are especially honoured to have Hall of Famer Yao Ming with us today. His remarkable legacy extends far beyond the game, and his influence continues to bring people together across cultures and generations. To the young people here today, I encourage you to dream big, work hard and believe in yourselves. Basketball teaches us the values of teamwork, perseverance and giving back to others. I hope these are lessons you will carry with you, both on and off the court, as you pursue your aspirations and contribute positively to your communities.”
In addition, NBA players joined local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, and Sands Cares Ambassadors in assembling goodie bags to share care and warm wishes with the community. The bags contained towels, notebooks, commemorative water bottles provided by the Dallas Mavericks, sports wristbands from the Houston Rockets, G Bear blind boxes and other gifts. Some of the care packages were presented to the students on-site, while the remainder will be distributed to people in need within the community during subsequent Impact Week activities, extending the spirit of care to more members of the local community.
Following the Tip-Off event, the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets each held pre-game training sessions at The Venetian Arena, making final preparations for their first matchup the following day (Oct. 9). The two NBA teams fine-tuned their tactics as they prepared to take to the court at their best.
Guests attending the Tip-Off event included: Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA; Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the NBA; Michael Ma, CEO of NBA Asia Pacific; Wayne Chang, managing director of NBA Asia; Kathy Behrens, president of social responsibility and player programs of NBA; NBA legends Shawn Marion and Yao Ming; Dr. Miriam Adelson, co-founder of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd., and governor of the Dallas Mavericks; Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd.; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd.; Hubert Wang, chief operating officer of Sands China Ltd.; Dave Sun, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sands China Ltd. and managing director of Venetian Macau Limited.
The “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” is taking place over five consecutive days, Oct. 7-11, featuring a diverse programme of activities focused on youth development, healthy living and community inclusion. Current NBA players and legends will engage with communities across Macao, with the initiative seeking to extend the impact of the NBA sporting event into the community and enable more Macao residents to experience the positive energy and excitement generated by the world-class basketball event.
The Impact Week continues tomorrow (Oct. 9) with “School Day” at Yuet Wah College in Macao. NBA legends and coaches will visit the school to engage directly with local students through basketball training and interactive exchanges, helping young participants enhance their basketball skills and inspiring greater enthusiasm for sport.
“NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” is part of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship programme of Sands China’s parent company. As an important stakeholder in the Macao community, Sands China has actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility for more than two decades. Through the programme, the company strives to connect with and serve the community, give back to society, and work alongside different sectors to build a more vibrant and inclusive Macao community.
About Sands China Ltd.
Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian® Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).
For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.
Sands Cares
A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares – the charitable giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates the company’s philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member volunteerism.
Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community organisations; and sponsorship of community events.
For more information, please visit www.sands.com/sands-cares/
About NBA Social Impact & Inclusion and NBA Cares
NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities by advancing needed resources and proven partners. We create data-driven strategies and programming to empower colleagues to bring their best self. NBA Cares works with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA’s digital, social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.
Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: [emailprotected]
Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054
Email: [emailprotected]
SOURCE Sands China Ltd.