The FIBA Intercontinental Cup returned to the Singapore Sports Hub for a third year running — and once again, fans and players alike were treated to a spectacle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Just as importantly, it gave the local basketball community the chance to shine every bit as brightly as the professionals.
Shining On the Court
Amidst the star-studded action of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, which lit up the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 18-21 September, the event’s first-ever pro-amateur (pro-am) game took center stage on Saturday.
On the very court where some of the world’s best basketball players battled for intercontinental glory, young local talents from schools and basketball academies seized a rare chance to play alongside FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2025 Ambassadors and former NBA stars Pero Antic and Ronny Turiaf, together with David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education.
The 40-minute showcase also featured national cagers Chase Tan, Mohamed Zahid, Ariel Loiter, and Lim Jia Min, joined by local artistes Allan Wu and Calvert Tay, Derek Chew from Kallang Alive Sport Management, Benjamin Gauthier (Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer of FIBA), and Alan Goh (Chief Executive Officer of Sport Singapore).
Friendly Rivalry and Competition
The two teams shared plenty of laughs and knowledge with loved ones courtside, and of course, the game was not short on some friendly rivalry and competition.
“I was really excited to play with the group. Before the game, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup Ambassadors told me that it’s okay to make mistakes and to just run back on defence so that really motivated me,” shared Josiah Han, academy player at Scholar Basketball Academy.
“It was exciting for me when I stole quite a lot of balls which led to a few quick breaks. It was really nice that my dad was here to watch me play at this game, he’s been to most of my games. He’s the best father!”
Fellow Scholar Basketball Academy players, albeit Josiah’s opponents in the pro-am match, Elton Ng and Alvin Ong both emphasized on the importance of such games held at Singapore Sports Hub for the development of Singapore’s basketball community.
“One of the most exciting things about today was playing on this court at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The past few days, I’ve been watching all the professionals play here and today, I was given the opportunity to play on the very same court,” shared Elton.
“It’s really important for the development of Singapore’s basketball. It exposes us to other countries and with that, the younger generation gets to experience watching these events and be motivated by watching them in Singapore.”
Alvin added, “When our club found out we’d be involved in the pro-am game, we were excited because we could play with ex-NBA players and famous content creators. That experience is rare and not many get to experience it so it was special for us. We learned a lot.”
Another youth who made his mark on the court was youth player and influencer, Jackson Cowan, who was watched on by his father — also his mentor.
“It’s pretty cool for Jackson to be playing today and it’s awesome for us to get here — seeing the inside and the workings of the Singapore Indoor Stadium and the FIBA Intercontinental Cup,” shared Ted Cowan.
“He gets nervous before lots of games so for sure, he was a little nervous! It’s great for him to meet and play with people beyond his usual circle. Meeting some ex-NBA players and playing with people from the Singapore Sports Hub was neat for him.”
The Buzz of Game Day at the Singapore Indoor Stadium
The basketball craze wasn’t exclusive to just within the walls of Singapore Indoor Stadium. It was rife in the Fanzone as well, located right by the North Entrance. Fans were treated to an array of talent laid out on the 3x3 court, where youth girls and boys vied for glory in the LockerRoom 3x3 HerRise Edition.
The next day, came what everyone had been waiting for—the grand finals. It was set to be a dramatic repeat of last year’s final between NBA G-League United and Unicaja Malaga.
As the countdown to the final began, the energy outside the Singapore Indoor Stadium began to build. Itching to get in on some basketball action themselves, the Fanzone was abuzz. Whether it was going head-to-head in NBA 2K battles on the console or testing their skills in ball challenges at the AirAsia booth—it was all for a chance to snag some exciting prizes before the main event.
As the players hit the court for warm-ups and the seats steadily filled, the atmosphere swelled—it was showtime.
World Class Basketball Action for Singaporeans
“I felt really hyped for the final because I was here for last year’s final and this was going to be a rematch between Unicaja and G-League,” shared one of the fans before the game.
“I was here two years ago for the finals and it was really exciting,” gushed a G-League fan, recounting Sesi Franca’s buzzer-beater winner in the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup final.
With the FIBA ICC into its third year at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, it has brought world-class action closer to Singaporeans — who have enjoyed the best of the venue which also holds international tournaments such as the Karim Family Foundation Singapore Badminton Open (KFFSBO).
“The Singapore Indoor Stadium has great vibes, perfect for tournaments of this stature,” smiled another G-League fan, while another fan added that “it’s an iconic piece of Singapore.”
“It’s so important for Singapore Sports Hub because to have these players and these teams play in Singapore, it gives local fans a good opportunity to watch the professionals up close.”
At the end of the four quarters, it was Spanish side Unicaja Malaga who emerged as FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2025 champions, making history in the process as the only team in 47 years to win the tournament two years in a row — beating G-League United 71-61.
Just as it had in its previous two editions, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup once again left a lasting mark on Singapore’s basketball community.
Whether you’re a professional, an amateur, a social player, a die-hard fan, or simply curious about the buzz, it was an experience for everyone—and one that will be remembered for a long time to come.
