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Small Countries. Big Dreams.

  • globallyknowninc
  • Jun 28
  • 3 min read

By Aryn McClure, Founder of Globally Known



Singapore. OCBC Arena.


The ball went up, and with it, a new chapter for international basketball.


The NBA Rising Stars Invitational officially tipped off, bringing together the next generation of talent from one of the world's most overlooked basketball regions - the Asia Pacific.


For those unfamiliar with this side of the game, the NBA RSI serves as the premier U18 showcase across Asia and Oceania. Twenty four teams. Thirteen countries and territories. One stage.



Every team in Singapore earned its place the hard way. Each navigated its own domestic pathway - winning national championships, regional qualifiers, or federation selection events - to represent its country on the biggest youth basketball platform the region has ever seen.


Now they're competing for the Ball Trophy. 


But for many athletes, that's only part of the story. They're competing for visibility. For opportunity.


For the chance to prove that elite basketball talent doesn't begin and end in North America or Europe.



That's what makes the NBA Rising Stars Invitational different. It offers something increasingly rare - the opportunity to evaluate multiple national programs, contrasting styles of play, and emerging prospects in one location before the rest of the basketball world catches up.


As the Official Scout for the girl’s division, here are my biggest takeaways from the first few days of the tournament. Every country brings its own basketball identity, shaped by its culture, coaching philosophy, and style of play - many of which translate naturally to different NCAA conferences and professional organizations in the United States.


Here's my breakdown of each team, their style of play, and the players you should have on your radar: 


1. *Team Japan (Seika Girls High School)


Disciplined. Efficient. Connected. Japanese basketball emphasizes elite spacing, rapid ball movement, perimeter shooting, and feeding the post through precision rather than isolation. Seika executes with exceptional discipline, making every possession feel intentional.


Players to know: Buba Aisha Ezzine, Honoka Goto. 


A sneak peak into Team Japan, available here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaAXneOiW6h/ 


2. *Team China (Yali High School)


Methodical. Physical. Size first. Chinese basketball has long prioritized developing elite front court talent and structured half court execution. Yali High School controls the paint through size, disciplined offensive sets, and high percentage interior scoring.


Players to know: Riu Liu, Zhuoxin Wu, Yuxi Hu. 


More insight on Team China, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO3dJPAazqk 


3. *Team Australia (Rowville Secondary School):


Physical. Powerful. Relentless. Australian basketball is built on pace, versatility, and physicality. Rowville embodies that identity with inside out scoring, aggressive rebounding, and an assertive transition game often referred to as the "Aussie Pace."


Players to know: Tiedore Puoch, Vanessa Tavete, Tesloch Puoch.


More insight on Team Australia, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmczsYRzOo4&t=46s 


4.*Team Philippines (University of Santo Tomas)


Creative. Explosive. Fearless. Philippine basketball celebrates skilled guards, creativity, and attacking in transition. UST embraces that identity with aggressive downhill play, perimeter scoring, and relentless full court press defensively. 


Players to know: Lea Pinuela, Sofia Alexis Petacorin, Jezebel Anacan, Rhiane Meshell Perez. 


Take a deeper look into team Philippines, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDd6BsmgNK4 


5. *Team Taiwan (Yang Ming High School)


Quick. Skilled. Fearless. Taiwan's game is driven by dynamic guards, quick pick & roll actions, and confident perimeter shooting. Yang Ming plays with relentless pace and offensive freedom, making them one of the tournament's most entertaining teams.


Players to know: Heng Su, Xin Chen, Yu Shan HSU. 


More insight into Team Taiwan, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlWaMTzJu70 


6.*Team Korea (Gwangju Speer Girls' High School)


Fast. Disciplined. Competitive. Korean basketball thrives on conditioning, constant off ball movement, and aggressive guard play. Gwangju combines defensive intensity with quick decision making, creating offense through pace and precision.


Players to know: Daheem Kim, Yeonseo Lim, Nahyun Lee. 


A sneak peek into Team Korea, here: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaAkET4Pr9Z/




__________________________________________________________________



Each player represents a basketball community chasing greater global recognition.


Throughout the week, more breakout performers will emerge.


Sometimes all it takes is one tournament. One evaluator. One opportunity.

As the event unfolds, I'll continue breaking down teams, evaluating prospects, and sharing scouting insights on the players making the strongest impressions.


Because they're talented. They're just not visible. Until now.


Follow the NBA Rising Stars Invitational throughout the week with live stats, game streams, highlights, and more on the official website.


Aryn McClure

Founder, Globally Known



Resources

  • Full Girls Division game recaps, here. 

  • Learn more about the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, here. 

  • Follow Globally Known across social media for scouting reports, player evaluations, and live updates from Singapore.



 
 
 

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