THE FUTURE IS PLAYING.

globallyknowninc

Sep 19

6 min read

By Aryn McClure, International Scout

(NBA RSI 2026 Champions, Kyungbock High School)

Singapore. Seven Days. One Stage. A lot of talent.

Jermey Lin said it is best.

“I’m incredibly excited to be part of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore. There is so much young talent across Asia Pacific, and I’m proud to be part of an event that shines a spotlight on some of the region’s top prospects.”

And after seven days in Singapore, watching these players compete, I understand exactly what he means.

The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is more than a tournament. 24 teams. 13 countries and territories. One region. Asia - Pacific is often known for its beaches. Food, skylines and vacation destinations. But underneath all of that is a basketball ecosystem producing players who deserve to be watched, developed and eventually, recruited.

And this year, the boys gave us plenty to talk about.

With NBA and international basketball figures like Jeremy Lin, Lauren Jackson, Rui Hachimura, Mitch Richmond and other representatives in the building, the opportunity was bigger than winning a game. For these players, it was a chance to be seen by people who understand what happens after youth basketball - college basketball, professional leagues, national teams and, for a select few, the possibility of reaching the highest levels of the game.

The tournament returned to Singapore, a country that continues to prove it can be more than a destination. Between its innovation, infrastructure, culture, and honestly, some of the best scenery I’ve ever seen, Singapore has become a pretty fitting home for a tournament built around looking forward.

Because that’s what NBA RSI is really about.

So, what happens next?

Not just who scored 25. Not just who had the biggest highlight. But who has the tools, feel, physical profile, decision making and competitive edge to keep climbing once the game gets faster, stronger and more unforgiving.

That’s where the list comes in.

I watched the boys through a scouting lens - looking beyond production and into translation. Who can create an advantage? Who can make the second read when the first one disappears? Who can defend multiple positions? Who can play without the ball? And perhaps most importantly, whose game made me want to see what happens next?

So, in no particular order, here are 10 boys from the NBA Rising Stars Invitational you should place on your radar.

For college coaches, scouts, agents, basketball executives and anyone curious about the next wave of international talent, start here:

Jiwon Yoon | #11 | Guard/Forward | Kyungbock High School | South Korea

Jiwon left Singapore with the hardware, but what stood out to me was how comfortable he looked carrying responsibility. The Finals MVP led Kyungbock to the championship and showed an ability to create offense without looking rushed when the game tightened. His size to position combination makes his ability to handle, score, and rebound even more interesting from a projection standpoint. The next question is whether that versatility continues to scale as the athletes around him get bigger and the windows get smaller.

Watch Kyungbock vs Tottori → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8_aIL_A9RM

Philemon Homtapwa Talmon | #50 | Forward/Center | Tottori Johoku High School | Japan

Talmon was one of the easiest players in the tournament to feel before you even looked at the box score. During the tournament, teams specifically identified him as a major part of their scouting plan and he still finished averaging a double double throughout the showcase. He brings the kind of physical presence that changes how opponents have to attack the paint, particularly on the glass. He also finished the tournament as the boys Defensive Player of the Tournament, which felt fitting. For me, the intrigue is how much more his game opens up once that physical dominance is paired with an expanded offensive package.

Watch Tottori vs FEU → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iL2gD6KsuA

Jihoon Yoon | #5 | Guard | Kyungbock High School | South Korea

Jihoon is the type of guard who makes you want to keep the film rolling after the first possession. He can score, but his ability to organize the game is what really separates him. Outside of the showcase, Fiba recorded 18.8 points and 6.8 assists per game for Korea at the 2026 U18 Asia cup. He also showed his ability to punish the defense from there, shooting 44.4% from deep across that tournament. His game feels less dependent on one specific scoring avenue and more connected to his ability to read what the defense gives him. That kind of processing is what makes a smaller guard worth betting on.

Watch Kyungbock vs Tottori → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2jro-yqcew

Boris Rosner | #7 | Guard | Berwick College | Australia

Rosner might be the name I would circle twice. After helping Berwick qualify for Singapore, he exploded for 30 points and 10 rebounds in the semi final against eventual champion Kyungbock, following a 24 point, 14 rebound performance against Tongtext that included the go ahead jumper and two clutch free throws. He doesn’t need an ideal game script to impact the game - there is production, physicality and a willingness to take responsibility when possessions matter. If you’re looking for a stock riser from this tournament, Rosner is one of the first names I'd give you.

Watch Berwick vs Kyungbock → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RznPXCDFRus

Junzheng Wang | #24 | Guard/Wing | Tsinghua University High School | China

Wang Junzheng caught my attention because of his ability to create offense when the game became comfortable. He finished with 26 points and 9 rebounds in the semi final against Tottori, helping Tsinghua stay in a game that ultimately came down to final possessions. There’s value in a player who isn’t simply scoring when the offense is flowing, but can manufacture something when the defense has already taken away the easy option. His willingness to take responsibility gives him a different kind of projection than a player whose production is purely system drive. The next step is seeing how that shot creation translates against longer, more physical perimeter defenders.

Watch Tsinghua vs Tottori → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tlzw-_3HbE

Genji Fukumoto | #4 | Guard | Tottori Johoku High School | Japan

Fukumoto is a guard I would want to see again against a completely different level of pressure. Before Singapore, he was already producing as a primary creator, posting 24 points, 10 assists and 4 steals in Japan’s qualifying tournament. In Singapore, he showed he could still create momentum. He’s comfortable pushing pace, making plays, and putting pressure on the defense rather than simply waiting for the offense to find him. For a smaller guard, the question becomes whether his decision making and shooting can consistently create an advantage against bigger defenders.

Watch Tottori vs FEU → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iL2gD6KsuA

Prince Carino | #26 | Guard/Forward | Far Eastern University Dillman | Philippines

Carino is interesting because the projection is bigger than the box score. At 6’6, he has already represented the Philippines internationally and brings a physical profile that gives FEUD something to build around. He wasn’t responsible for carrying the offensive lord in Singapore but he showed flashes as a rebounder, interior finisher and physical defender. More importantly, he was one of the players tasked with guardian Talmon - which is not an easy assignment. The development question is whether he can stretch his offensive game enough to become more than a traditional four.

Watch FEU vs Tottori → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iL2gD6KsuA

Jan Bennett Cagurungan | #8 | Guard | Far Eastern University Dillman (FEUD) | Philippines

Cagurungan has something you can’t teach, he doesn’t seem particularly interested in backing away from the moment. Earlier this year, he carried FEUD against key competitors. That mentality carried into Singapore, where he was one of the makers with the confidence to take difficult possessions rather than defer them. Now, the question is how does his scoring mentality evolve when he’s asked to create against liner, more athletic guards?

Watch FEU vs Tottori → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iL2gD6KsuA

Parker Rivet | #12 | Guard | Berwick College | Australia

THE CONNECTOR. Rivet caught my eye because he doesn’t need to dominate the ball to influence the game. He plays with pace, sees the next action developing and can move between creating, facilitating and making the play that keeps an advantage alive. That versatility matters to me because his value isn’t tied to one role - he can help you without needing the offense built around him. His performance helped Berwick earn its place on the international stage in Singapore. The development question is whether he can continue to impact the game at higher levels without the ball in his hands while expanding his ability to create advantages when called upon.

Watch FEU vs Berwick → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AElQJemaNTk

Komei Oda | #7 | Forward | Tottori Johoku High School | Japan

Oda stood out to me less because of one statistical performance and more because of how he approached the moment. Tottori JHS was playing through a physical, high pressure tournament run and Oda showed the kind of competitive awareness you want from a young player - understanding what the game was asking for and recognizing that defense, turnovers and transition would ultimately decide possessions. That stood out to me because those are the details that travel when the talent around you gets better. Tottori ultimately pushed all the way to the championship game, and Oda was part of a group that consistently found ways to compete. The next step is seeing how he continues to expand his offensive identity while maintaining that same competitive edge against higher level competition.

Watch Tottori vs Tsinghua → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMsU5d87yjE