NBA Cares and Sands Cares launched the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week” on Thursday at The Venetian Arena, in celebration of Macao hosting the highly anticipated NBA China Games 2025, which kick off on Oct. 10 and 12 at The Venetian Arena.
The initiative brings NBA Legends – including Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway, Yao Ming, Shawn Marion, and Deron Williams – alongside current players from the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets into the Macao community, using basketball as a bridge to foster compassion and connection.
Running Oct. 8-12, the five-day impact week features a diverse lineup of community events – including a basketball exchange at a local school, distributing boxed lunches in the community, a community basketball carnival, and the “Her Time to Play” clinic – extending NBA Cares’ spirit into the Macao community and promoting mutual support and love.
Patrick Dumont, President and COO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., said: “Being an active community partner in Macao has been a staple of our efforts here since the opening of Sands Macao in 2004. For more than 20 years, our company and our team members have made giving back to this community, which is full of great culture, tradition, and generosity, among our most important priorities.
“We are delighted to bring this five-day impact week alongside The NBA China Games in Macao, extending care to local youth and those in need. We believe the positive effect of this week on the community and Macao’s reputation as a global destination for leisure and business tourism will be tremendous. We sincerely thank everyone for their enthusiastic support and participation in the Impact Week events.”
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, remarked: “The NBA China Games will take place tomorrow and Sunday. Today, we invited young people to gather at a top-level venue, The Venetian Arena, to learn from accomplished players and Legends. We hope all participants enjoy this sports exchange and find inspiration through it. We thank Sands China for making these games and events a reality, and we appreciate the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets for making their Macao trip as they prepare for the season. We hope everyone enjoys the games this weekend.”
The event was attended by Yao Ming, Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer and the chairman of the Yao Foundation, along with six players and two coaches each from the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets. During the event, players from the two teams shared their preparations and training tips for the NBA season and for competing in general, and talked about their excitement about playing in Macao, among other topics.
Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets players led a basketball clinic for 60 participants, including students from Lou Hau High School, Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), and Yuet Wah College Macau, and rural coaches and students from “Her Time to Play”– an NBA Cares initiative promoting girls’ basketball in the Chinese Mainland. The players also teamed up with Sands Cares Ambassadors to pack goodie bags and health kits for the upcoming days of the impact week.
In addition, NBA House – an interactive fan event previously held in Brazil, Canada, France, India, Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom – has made its debut in Macao. From now until Oct. 12, fans can enjoy an immersive basketball experience at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo Hall A. The event blends basketball, music, fashion, and cutting-edge technology into one spectacular celebration. Admission is free and registration will allow priority admission. NBA Legends Tim Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Shaquille O’Neal, Mitch Richmond, and Deron Williams will be present for close-up interaction with fans.
A youth basketball challenge, the first event of the Impact Week, was held Oct. 8 at Hou Hau High School. NBA Legend Mitch Richmond and NBA coaches ran a basketball clinic for local students and those from the “Her Time to Play” initiative, culminating in a thrilling five-on-five skills challenge.
Upcoming impact week events include:
Oct. 10 (Friday) – Lunchbox packing and delivery to the community
- NBA Legend Tim Hardaway, students and coaches from “Her Time to Play,” volunteers from the Yao Foundation, and Sands Cares Ambassadors will visit the Pou Choi Centre of Fuhong Society of Macao and deliver lunchboxes to the underprivileged in the city.
Oct. 11 (Saturday) – Community basketball carnival
- The carnival combines various sports-themed games and exciting performances at the NBA House. NBA Legend Shawn Marion will play basketball with members of local NGOs.
Oct. 12 (Sunday) – “Her Time to Play” clinic
- NBA Legend Deron Williams and WNBA player Myisha Hines-Allen will lead a clinic at NBA House, where they will share insights with students from Macao and the “Her Time to Play” initiative, culminating in a five-on-five skills challenge to close the impact week.
These activities, along with other community initiatives by Sands China, are part of the Sands Cares global corporate citizenship programme. With Sands China being an important stakeholder in the local community, the programme is an influential tool that illustrates the company’s unwavering commitment to contribute to society, serving as an important connection between Sands China and local residents.
