[SINGAPORE] Courtside to Centre Stage: LNGSHOT Closes the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Finals with an MVP Performance

While the basketball games took centre court at the National Basketball Association (NBA) Rising Stars Invitational Singapore 2026 from 23 – 28 June, one of the loudest cheers of the finals on Sunday was reserved for rookie K-pop group, LNGSHOT.

Held at the sold-out OCBC Arena on 28 June, the tournament brought together some of Asia-Pacific’s brightest high school basketball talents, alongside NBA and WNBA legends, family, friends and fans. As part of the celebrations, LNGSHOT members, Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin and Louis spent the day connecting with aspiring young athletes at the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Youth Clinic before wrapping up the finals with a high-energy performance that transformed the arena into a concert venue.

For many fans (SHOTTIES), the excitement started long before the music did. By 8.30am, fans had already begun gathering outside the OCBC Arena, hoping to get the best seats in the house to catch the quartet. Even though the event was completely sold out, some continued trying their luck at the ticketing booth in hopes of securing last-minute tickets to witness LNGSHOT’s first-ever appearance in Singapore.

Different Court, Same Goal: LNGSHOT Inspires Basketball’s Rising Stars

Before stepping onto the performance stage, LNGSHOT traded microphones for basketballs as they joined the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Youth Clinic.

Despite their short and packed schedule in Singapore, the members threw themselves wholeheartedly into the morning’s activities, spending time with young aspiring basketball players through various drills and games led by coaches. The clinic also gave LNGSHOT the opportunity to meet several basketball greats, including NBA legend Jeremy Lin, NBA Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond, WNBA legend Lauren Jackson and other ambassadors who were present to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Whether it was learning the basics of dribbling, passing or shooting, the members approached every challenge with enthusiasm, laughing alongside the children while encouraging them throughout the clinic. Rather than simply making an appearance, LNGSHOT took the time to chat with participants, celebrate their successes and cheer them on during each activity.

Although Woojin was unable to participate in the basketball drills due to an injury and was seen with an arm sling, he remained fully involved throughout the clinic. Armed with a film camera, he captured candid moments of his fellow members while also cheering on the children from the sidelines, proving that his enthusiasm was not limited by his injury.

Ryul and Louis even made a kid’s day by signing his shirt during the session, creating a memory he is unlikely to forget anytime soon.

The morning concluded with a massive group photo featuring the young participants, coaches, basketball legends and LNGSHOT — a fitting end to a meaningful community event that highlighted the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and youth development.

Courtside Before Taking Centre Stage

Basketball remained the focus for LNGSHOT even after the youth clinic. Returning to the OCBC Arena, the members watched the championship games from courtside, soaking in the electric atmosphere alongside thousands of fans. During breaks in the action, they stepped onto the court to take part in the ‘LONGSHOT Challenge’ with basketball fans, earning enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, while also sharing fun interactions with Stuff the Magic Dragon, the beloved mascot of the Orlando Magic.

As the final buzzer sounded, Seika Girls’ High School emerged victorious in the Girls’ Division, while Kyungbock High School clinched the Boys’ Division championship, bringing an exciting close to the elite youth basketball competition. The celebrations continued with the awards ceremony, where Buba Aisha Ezzine (#42) of Seika Girls’ High School and Yoon Jiwon (#11) of Kyungbock High School were crowned the Girls’ and Boys’ Division Finals MVPs, respectively. In addition to the MVP honours, the tournament also recognised players through the Sportsmanship Award, Defensive Player of the Tournament, and First Team All-Tournament selections, shining a spotlight on the standout performers across both divisions.

Following the trophy presentations and awards ceremony, the spotlight shifted from the court to the stage, where anticipation reached its peak as LNGSHOT prepared to deliver the celebratory performance that fans had been eagerly waiting for since the early hours of the morning.

From the Final Buzzer to the Final Encore: LNGSHOT Closes the Celebrations

Following the awards ceremony, it was finally time for LNGSHOT to take centre stage. Opening with ‘Are You Ready’, the rookie group immediately lived up to the song’s title, firing up the sold-out arena from the very first beat. They kept the momentum going with ‘Facetime’, ‘Never Let Go‘ and wrapped up the celebratory stage with ‘Saucin’‘, delivering a performance that felt far bigger than a special event appearance.

For a few unforgettable moments, the basketball court transformed into a full-fledged concert venue. Greeting the audience with bright smiles, the members shared their excitement over performing in Singapore for the very first time before asking, “Are there any SHOTTIES in the arena?” The response was deafening. Encouraging fans to leave their seats and come closer, the members turned the arena into a giant mosh pit, with SHOTTIES eagerly rushing forward to sing and dance alongside the group.

Determined to get even closer to their fans, Ohyul, Ryul and Woojin stepped off the court and made their way into the seating sections, performing just centimetres away from delighted SHOTTIES. The intimate fan interactions continued throughout the set as the members tossed NBA merchandise into the crowd and even took the time to autograph fans’ personal belongings, sending the arena into another frenzy with each surprise interaction.

What began as a championship celebration had quickly evolved into a mini concert. For many in attendance, it was more than just a post-game performance—it was Singaporean SHOTTIES’ first opportunity to witness LNGSHOT’s electrifying stage presence live, leaving fans hoping it would be only the beginning of many more visits to come.

A Slam Dunk Singapore Debut: LNGSHOT Wins Hearts On and Off the Court

Although their visit to Singapore was brief, LNGSHOT made every moment count.

Having officially debuted just six months ago in January 2026, this K-pop rookie group already displayed the confidence, professionalism and stage presence of seasoned performers. From inspiring young athletes at the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Youth Clinic and sharing the court with basketball legends to captivating a sold-out crowd after the championship games, LNGSHOT showcased not only their versatility but also their warmth, infectious energy and genuine connection with both fans and aspiring youth basketballers alike.

Here’s hoping LNGSHOT returns soon for their very own concert, where they can showcase the full breadth of their musicality, performance skills and undeniable rising star power!

The Seoul Story would like to thank NBA Rising Stars Invitational for the media invite!
More photos are available on The Seoul’s Story Facebook.

Written by: Phebs
Photos by: Agnes

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