# 'NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026' Celebrates Tip-Off

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/nba-cares-x-sands-cares-community-impact-week-2026-celebrates-tip-off
- Published: 2026-10-09T08:45:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

_Current Mavericks and Rockets players and NBA legends join together to engage with
Macao youth and inspire positive growth

MACAO, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of The NBA China Games 2026, Sands China
and NBA Cares held the **Tip-Off****Day** as part of the "**NBA Cares x Sands Cares
Community Impact Week 2026**" on Oct. 8 at The Venetian Arena. Embodying a shared
spirit of care for the community, the event brought together around 400 participants,
including current players from the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets; NBA
executives, legends and coaches; executives and team members from Las Vegas Sands
and Sands China, members of local school basketball teams, and local and international
media. Together, they extended the impact of world-class basketball event beyond
the court and into the community. Through personal sharing by NBA players, a basketball
clinic, and goodie bag packing, the event brought energy, care and warmth to different
sectors of the Macao community.

[⌊Ahead of The NBA China Games 2026, Sands China and NBA Cares held the Tip-Off 
Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian 
Arena on Thursday. The event brought together approximately 400 participants, including
current players from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, NBA executives, legends
and coaches, executives and team members from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, members
of local school basketball teams, and local and international media, extending the
impact of the world-class basketball event beyond the court and into the community.⌉⌊
Ahead of The NBA China Games 2026, Sands China and NBA Cares held the Tip-Off Day
of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena
on Thursday. The event brought together approximately 400 participants, including
current players from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, NBA executives, legends
and coaches, executives and team members from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, members
of local school basketball teams, and local and international media, extending the
impact of the world-class basketball event beyond the court and into the community
.⌉[
Ahead of The NBA China Games 2026, Sands China and NBA Cares held the Tip-Off
Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian 
Arena on Thursday. The event brought together approximately 400 participants, including
current players from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, NBA executives, legends
and coaches, executives and team members from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, members
of local school basketball teams, and local and international media, extending the
impact of the world-class basketball event beyond the court and into the community.

During the event, the Mavericks and Rockets players took on the role of youth mentors,
engaging with students from two championship teams of the Macao Inter-School Basketball
Competition: the Girls D Division team of Keang Peng School and Boys D Division 
team of Colégio dom Bosco (Yuet Wah). The NBA players also shared with local students
the journeys of pursuing their dreams and experiences from their professional basketball
careers, inspiring local students through the perseverance, determination and relentless
dedication that underpin the success of elite athletes. Players and coaches from
both NBA teams then led local students in a **basketball clinic** on the NBA court
at The Venetian Arena, providing skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching in 
practical techniques.

Throughout the clinic, players engaged closely with the students, instilling the
values of sportsmanship and teamwork. The event also offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their basketball skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue 
their aspirations and strive for excellence.

The Tip-Off event was also attended by two NBA legends: **Yao Ming**, eight-time
NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA Team, and 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee,
as well as chairman of the Yao Foundation, and **Shawn Marion**, 2011 NBA champion,
four-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team. Both legends engaged with participants
on-site, bringing further care and inspiration to the Impact Week.

**Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas
Sands Corp., and chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China
Ltd.**, **and governor of the Dallas Mavericks**, said: "For more than two decades,
we have grown alongside Macao and remained steadfast in our confidence in the city.
For us, the value of major international sporting events extends well beyond what
takes place inside the arena. Their lasting significance lies in their ability to
contribute to social progress and the development of the city. Last year, we brought
The NBA China Games back to Macao, adding to the city’s growing portfolio of internationally
renowned sporting events, while harnessing the power of sport to bring communities
together, inspire young people and foster international exchange. This year, we 
are once again bringing together Sands Cares and NBA Cares to extend the impact 
of this major sporting event into the Macao community, enabling people of different
ages, backgrounds and sectors to experience the spirit and positive energy of the
NBA.

[⌊Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas
Sands Corp., chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd.,
and governor of the Dallas Mavericks, delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the“
NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.⌉⌊
Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands
Corp., chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd., and
governor of the Dallas Mavericks, delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA
Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday
.⌉[
Patrick Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas
Sands Corp., chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd.,
and governor of the Dallas Mavericks, delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the“
NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.

"We sincerely thank the Central People’s Government, the Macao SAR Government and
all sectors of the community for their longstanding support, which enables us to
continue extending the benefits of major events throughout the community. Looking
ahead, we will continue to leverage the international network of Las Vegas Sands
and Sands China’s integrated resort platform and pursue innovative, forward-looking
approaches to further deepening the cross-sector ‘Tourism+’ development, supporting
the development of a harmonious and inclusive community in Macao, and injecting 
continued momentum into Macao’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure."

**Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, **said: "I want to particularly thank Patrick
Dumont and Sands China for all they have done to make this event possible and the
NBA players and teams for making this trip and being here. This means a lot to all
of us and so much to the Macao community. There is no substitute for experiencing
Macao in person. And to all the boys and girls here today, this event is really 
about you. Wherever the NBA goes around the world, we want to create opportunities
for young people who love the game. Basketball teaches teamwork, respect and discipline,
and these are lessons that can help you achieve whatever goals you set for yourselves
in life, not just in basketball. My message to all of you is to dream big. That’s
what so many great NBA players did. They had a dream and pursued it. So take advantage
of the opportunity to learn from the inspiring people around you today, and use 
the lessons you gain through sports to pursue your own dreams."

[⌊NBA Commissioner Adam Silver delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares
x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.⌉⌊NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x
Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.⌉[
NBA Commissioner
Adam Silver delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares 
Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.

**Patrick Fertitta, vice chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, **said: "On
behalf of the Houston Rockets, I would like to express our sincere appreciation 
to Adam Silver, Patrick Dumont along with Sands China, as well as all our partners
for making this meaningful week possible. We are delighted to join the Mavericks
and the wider NBA community in Macao, not only to celebrate the game of basketball,
but also to demonstrate how sport can inspire young people and create a positive
impact in the community. We are especially honoured to have Hall of Famer Yao Ming
with us today. His remarkable legacy extends far beyond the game, and his influence
continues to bring people together across cultures and generations. To the young
people here today, I encourage you to dream big, work hard and believe in yourselves.
Basketball teaches us the values of teamwork, perseverance and giving back to others.
I hope these are lessons you will carry with you, both on and off the court, as 
you pursue your aspirations and contribute positively to your communities."

[⌊Patrick Fertitta, vice chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, delivers remarks
at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at
The Venetian Arena on Thursday.⌉⌊Patrick Fertitta, vice chairman of the Houston 
Rockets and Comets, delivers remarks at the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands
Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday.⌉[
Patrick Fertitta,
vice chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets, delivers remarks at the Tip-Off
Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian 
Arena on Thursday.

In addition, NBA players joined local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands 
and Sands China, and Sands Cares Ambassadors in assembling goodie bags to share 
care and warm wishes with the community. The bags contained towels, notebooks, commemorative
water bottles provided by the Dallas Mavericks, sports wristbands from the Houston
Rockets, G Bear blind boxes and other gifts. Some of the care packages were presented
to the students on-site, while the remainder will be distributed to people in need
within the community during subsequent Impact Week activities, extending the spirit
of care to more members of the local community.

Following the **Tip-Off** event, the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets each
held pre-game training sessions at The Venetian Arena, making final preparations
for their first matchup the following day (Oct. 9). The two NBA teams fine-tuned
their tactics as they prepared to take to the court at their best.

[⌊Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.⌉⌊
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams
.⌉[
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local
students in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing
skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a 
valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals,
enhancing their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their
dreams.

 

[⌊Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.⌉⌊
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams
.⌉[
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local
students in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing
skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a 
valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals,
enhancing their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their
dreams.

Guests attending the Tip-Off event included: Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA;
Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the NBA; Michael 
Ma, CEO of NBA Asia Pacific; Wayne Chang, managing director of NBA Asia; Kathy Behrens,
president of social responsibility and player programs of NBA; NBA legends Shawn
Marion and Yao Ming; Dr. Miriam Adelson, co-founder of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Patrick
Dumont, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.,
and chairman of the board and non-executive director of Sands China Ltd., and governor
of the Dallas Mavericks; Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China
Ltd.; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China 
Ltd.; Hubert Wang, chief operating officer of Sands China Ltd.; Dave Sun, executive
vice president and chief financial officer of Sands China Ltd. and managing director
of Venetian Macau Limited.

[⌊Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.⌉⌊
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams
.⌉[
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local
students in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing
skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a 
valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals,
enhancing their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their
dreams.

 

[⌊Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.⌉⌊
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local students
in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing skills 
demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a valuable
opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals, enhancing
their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their dreams
.⌉[
Players and coaches from the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets lead local
students in a basketball clinic on the NBA court at The Venetian Arena, providing
skills demonstrations and hands-on coaching. The activity offered Macao youth a 
valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-class basketball professionals,
enhancing their skills, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to pursue their
dreams.

The "NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" is taking place over five
consecutive days, Oct. 7-11, featuring a diverse programme of activities focused
on youth development, healthy living and community inclusion. Current NBA players
and legends will engage with communities across Macao, with the initiative seeking
to extend the impact of the NBA sporting event into the community and enable more
Macao residents to experience the positive energy and excitement generated by the
world-class basketball event.

[⌊NBA players joined local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China,
and Sands Cares Ambassadors in assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of
the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on
Thursday, sharing care and warm wishes with the local community.⌉⌊NBA players joined
local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, and Sands Cares
Ambassadors in assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares
x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday, sharing
care and warm wishes with the local community.⌉[
NBA players joined local students,
executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, and Sands Cares Ambassadors in 
assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares 
Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday, sharing care and 
warm wishes with the local community.

 

[⌊NBA players joined local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China,
and Sands Cares Ambassadors in assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of
the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on
Thursday, sharing care and warm wishes with the local community.⌉⌊NBA players joined
local students, executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, and Sands Cares
Ambassadors in assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares
x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday, sharing
care and warm wishes with the local community.⌉[
NBA players joined local students,
executives from Las Vegas Sands and Sands China, and Sands Cares Ambassadors in 
assembling care packages during the Tip-Off Day of the “NBA Cares x Sands Cares 
Community Impact Week 2026” at The Venetian Arena on Thursday, sharing care and 
warm wishes with the local community.

The Impact Week continues on Oct. 9 with "School Day" at Yuet Wah College in Macao.
NBA legends and coaches will visit the school to engage directly with local students
through basketball training and interactive exchanges, helping young participants
enhance their basketball skills and inspiring greater enthusiasm for sport.

"NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026" is part of [Sands Cares](https://www.sands.com/sands-cares/),
the global corporate citizenship programme of Sands China’s parent company. As an
important stakeholder in the Macao community, Sands China has actively fulfilled
its corporate social responsibility for more than two decades. Through the programme,
the company strives to connect with and serve the community, give back to society,
and work alongside different sectors to build a more vibrant and inclusive Macao
community.

**About Sands China Ltd. **

Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands
with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (
HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao.
The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian^(®) Macao,
The Plaza^(®) Macao, The Parisian^(®) Macao and The Londoner^(®) Macao. The Company
also owns and operates Sands^(®) Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio
features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation
operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants;
shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena,
The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre;
and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The 
Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation
into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global
resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit [www.sandschina.com](http://www.sandschina.com/).

**Sands Cares**

A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China
Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares – the charitable
giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates 
the company’s philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, 
community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member 
volunteerism.

Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for
volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community
organisations; and sponsorship of community events.

For more information, please visit [www.sands.com/sands-cares/](https://www.sands.com/sands-cares/)

**About NBA Social Impact & Inclusion and NBA Cares**

NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities
by advancing needed resources and proven partners. We create data-driven strategies
and programming to empower colleagues to bring their best self. NBA Cares works 
with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA’s digital,
social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.

**Media contacts:**

Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel WuTel: +853 8118 2268Email: [mabel.wu@sands.com.mo](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/mabel.wu@sands.com.mo)

Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054Email: [jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo)

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