The event, Việt Nam’s first professional basketball tournament, is scheduled to kick off in August.

The Việt Nam delegation includes managing director Nguyễn Tăng Cường of the VBA, Sài Gòn Heat coach Anthony Garbelotto, assistant Dave Singleton and Sài Gòn Heat player Việt Arnold.

Six clubs from HCM City, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and Cần Thơ will participate in the VBA.

According to the event’s rules, each club is allowed one foreign player, two players of Vietnamese origin and 10 domestic players.

Selections will take place on May 20-22 in Hope University in Fullerton, California, Cường said.

Cường said Việt Nam had chosen to seek talent from the United States because basketball was very developed in the country and there were many players of Vietnamese origin who could help promote the sport in Việt Nam.

“This is a really important project and a huge step for Việt Nam’s basketball. It will also give a chance to Vietnamese players living overseas to return to their country to promote this sport,” Cường said.

“Sài Gòn Heat is one of Việt Nam’s successful basketball teams, but we need more teams for long-term success. We need to take advantage of the human resources and talent in the world to improve Việt Nam image and position in the world of sport,” Cường said. -- VNS