MUMBAI, Sept. 16, 2026 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), ACG – a global leader in pharmaceutical solutions – and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) – the governing body of basketball in the country – today announced the return of the ACG Jr. NBA 3v3 National Tournament, a nationwide, school-based tournament for under-16 boys’ and girls’ teams featuring stops in 10 cities across India and the country’s largest school-based basketball tournament. Skechers – a global performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel brand – will once again serve as the Official Kit Partner of the program and outfit participating teams.
Operated by leading grassroots sports organization India On Track, the 2026 ACG Jr. NBA 3v3 National Tournament will tip off on Thursday, Sept. 24 in Ahmedabad, followed by stops in Indore, Kochi, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Prayagraj, and Ludhiana. Boys’ and girls’ teams from schools in the states within each zone can register to participate in their respective city tournament at the official event website. The top two boys’ and girls’ teams from each zone, along with one boys’ All-Star team and one girls’ All-Star team from each zone, will advance to the ACG Jr. NBA 3v3 National Finals Tournament in December 2026. Dates for the remaining stops and the finals will be announced at a later date. Below are the zones and associated states eligible to participate:
Guided by the program’s central theme, “Where Stars Are Born,” the 2026 program will shift from an under-14 to an under-16 age classification, engaging aspiring players at a more advanced and competitive stage of their development while maintaining equal representation for boys and girls. The under-16 format will also strengthen the ACG Jr. NBA program’s role within India’s basketball development pathway by helping participants prepare for the next stage of their development.
The ACG Jr. NBA program promotes the fundamental skills and core values of the game to positively influence youth across India. Last year’s program engaged more than 8,000 players across 2,000 boys’ and girls’ teams representing 900 schools, with more than 2,700 games played across 10 cities. The ACG Jr. NBA program is part of the NBA’s broader youth development framework in India that also includes NBA Basketball School, a network of tuition-based training programs for male and female players ages 6-18 in 13 cities that is also operated by India On Track.
Players, coaches, and families can learn more about the 2026 ACG Jr. NBA program by following the NBA’s localized social media channels across Facebook (Facebook.com/NBAIndia), Instagram @NBAIndia), YouTube (YouTube.com/@NBAIndiaOfficial) and X (@NBAIndia). Fans in India can download the NBA App for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules, videos and more.
Executive Quotes:
NBA India Country Head Sunny Malik:
“The ACG Jr. NBA program is a cornerstone of our grassroots basketball development efforts in India. By transitioning to the under-16 category this season, we are creating a stronger and more competitive bridge between grassroots participation and our broader player development pathway. Together with ACG, BFI, and Skechers, we are proud to continue building the country’s largest school-based tournament and providing a platform where young athletes can realize their potential to reach the highest levels of the game.”
BFI President Aadhav Arjuna:
“Our continued collaboration with the NBA reflects our shared commitment to developing basketball from the ground up. The ACG Jr. NBA program gives young players across India a unique platform to learn, compete, and represent their schools with pride. By moving to the under-16 format, we are helping build a sustainable, highly competitive talent pipeline for the sport. We’re proud to support a program that’s making basketball more accessible and inspiring the next generation of national talent.”
ACG Managing Director Karan Singh:
“The NBA has done truly remarkable work growing the game of basketball in India, and this is such an exciting time for the sport in our country. As someone who has followed this game all my life, it is incredibly meaningful to see young boys and girls across India embrace basketball with such passion. The ACG Jr. NBA program has always been about democratizing the sport and providing equal representation for boys and girls across the country. This tournament is truly ‘Where Stars Are Born,’ and through this collaboration, we remain committed to creating safe and inclusive environments that empower the next generation to grow in confidence, character, and ambition both on and off the court.”
CEO and Country Manager of Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd. Rahul Vira:
“The move of the ACG Jr. NBA program from under-14 to under-16 creates a stronger platform for young athletes to compete, grow and pursue their ambitions. At Skechers, we want to be part of that journey from the ground up, building performance credibility while connecting with the culture and energy that make basketball so unique. Our collaboration with the Jr. NBA lets us engage with thousands of young players and support a stronger basketball ecosystem – growing the game, inspiring the next generation, and establishing Skechers as a meaningful part of India’s basketball culture.”
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.
About ACG
For over 60 plus years, ACG has been innovating production solutions for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies, that help make people better.
As the world’s most integrated provider of oral dosage products and services, we produce capsules, barrier packaging materials, manufacturing machinery, and visual inspection and traceability solutions. All fully compliant with international standards.
Today, ACG fosters long-term collaborative partnerships with customers in 138 countries across six continents.
Together, we share a common purpose: to solve the world’s greatest health challenges and make it better for everybody we serve.
About the Basketball Federation of India
The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is the official governing body for the sport of basketball in India. Established in 1950, BFI and its 30-member state associations focus on grassroots development, nurturing over 1 million student athletes, 8,000 trained basketball coaches, and more than 50,000 physical education teachers across schools and colleges.
BFI organizes national championships, oversees Indian teams’ participation in international competitions, and collaborates with global basketball organizations to enhance the sport’s standards and reach in India. Through programs like coaching clinics, youth development initiatives, and talent identification camps, BFI strives to nurture and elevate Indian basketball talent.
Under the visionary leadership of its president and secretary general, BFI aims to unite all stakeholders by embracing technology and fostering private and international collaborations. Their ambitious vision includes elevating India’s FIBA ranking from the current 82nd to the top 10 and qualifying for the 2036 Olympics.
For more information, please visit our official website at basketballfederationindia.org.
About Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd. and Skechers U.S.A., Inc.
Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Skechers U.S.A., Inc., The Comfort Technology Company® based in Southern California. Skechers designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through skechers.com and approximately 5,300 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow our lifestyle and Skechers Performance sites on Instagram, X and YouTube.
