Etihad Arena to host Courtside Conversations forum with USA Basketball during 2024 USA Basketball Showcase Games in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Arena is set to host Courtside Conversations with USA Basketball on 16 July in Abu Dhabi, during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase Games in Abu Dhabi being held from July 15-17. The Showcase Games feature the world No. 1 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, alongside the Australian Boomers, ranked fifth in the world, and Serbia, ranked fourth in the world, all preparing for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Courtside Conversations with USA Basketball will offer an evening of insightful discussion from basketball players, legends, and senior executives, along with exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with legendary basketball players and coaches. Basketball fans can access the experience by purchasing forum tickets for AED500, along with their Australia vs. Serbia game tickets at the Etihad Arena website and Ticketmaster.ae.

The forum will kick off with the panel discussion Global Growth of the Game at 4.45pm GST, with panelists highlighting the importance of investing in basketball for youth, women, and minorities, and exploring how programmes beyond the court can mentor leaders in every community. Speakers include Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning, Chief Business Development Officer for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, Jennifer Azzi, and CEO of USA Basketball Jim Tooley.

The second panel, The Road to Paris, scheduled for 6pm GST, will discuss what it takes to build a championship-calibre team, and the value of teamwork, offering insights from key players and contributors to the world-class programme. Panelists include NBA legend and Managing Director of the USA Men’s National Team, Grant Hill, and former NBA player Steve Smith.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in Q&A sessions with speakers after each panel, posing questions submitted in advance. Additionally, select fans can enjoy a Meet and Greet with basketball legends Steve Smith and Alonzo Mourning. This experience includes on-court photo opportunities following the Australia vs. Serbia game.

For the second consecutive summer, USA Basketball will host the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi, featuring games against Australia, the 2022 FIBA Asia champions and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists, and Serbia, the finalists in last year’s FIBA World Cup. These matchups are scheduled for 15 and 17 July, respectively. Additionally, Australia and Serbia will face each other on 16 July, with all games beginning at 8pm GST. Tickets are currently on sale at the Etihad Arena website and Ticketmaster.ae.