Sacramento Kings and Visit California strengthened their engagement with Indian audiences through a series of youth-focused community initiatives and participation in the BUDX NBA House in New Delhi.
The activities build on the Sacramento Kings’ historic 2019 visit to Mumbai, when the team participated in the first-ever NBA games held in India. According to the organisations, the latest initiatives further reinforce their long-term commitment to supporting basketball development and fostering cultural connections in the country.
As part of the week-long engagement, the Kings and Visit California organised multiple events focused on youth participation, sports culture and community outreach.
On May 8, the organisations partnered for a community basketball activation at the BSES Basketball Academy in New Delhi. The event was led by basketball content creators and organisers Lionel Ngotchi Kab, Dhruv Barman and Jai Sachdeva and welcomed nearly 200 attendees, including youth athletes and members of India’s growing basketball community.
The programme featured influencer-led games, skills challenges, fan engagement activities and live entertainment by the Sacramento Kings Dancers and mascot Slamson. Giveaways and on-court activities were also organised as part of the event, which highlighted the academy’s efforts to create sustainable basketball development opportunities for underserved youth.
Earlier the same day, the Kings also participated in a youth engagement programme at the American Center New Delhi, hosted by the U.S. Embassy. The event brought together more than 150 students for basketball activities, cultural exchange sessions and interactive entertainment experiences.
Former NBA player and Kings legend Vlade Divac attended the event alongside the Kings entertainment team, highlighting the role of sports in fostering global cultural connections.
The Sacramento Kings and Visit California also returned to BUDX NBA House India for the second consecutive year. During the event, the Kings’ entertainment team participated in live performances and fan interaction sessions, while Divac served as honorary co-captain during the celebrity basketball game.
Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California, said, “As the Ultimate Playground, California offers an unmatched blend of sports, entertainment and lifestyle. Visit California’s partnership with the Sacramento Kings and NBA India is an exciting way to showcase that spirit while strengthening our connection with India’s vibrant and growing community of basketball and travel enthusiasts.”
Beyond basketball activations, the organisations also hosted an evening networking event titled ‘An Evening of Connection: Sports, Culture & Conversation’, bringing together leaders from sports, tourism and business sectors to discuss the intersection of sports, storytelling, innovation and travel.
The Sacramento Kings continue to maintain a strong cultural connection with India through team owner Vivek Ranadivé, who became the first Indian-born owner in NBA history. The franchise said it remains committed to supporting youth development programmes, community engagement and long-term basketball ecosystem growth in India.
Visit California also stated that the collaboration forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen tourism engagement with Indian travellers by showcasing California’s diverse experiences, ranging from sports and entertainment to coastal drives, culinary tourism, outdoor adventures and cultural attractions.
