Brooklyn Nets to host events in China during NBA Global Games

BROOKLYN - The Brooklyn Nets are traveling to China on Wednesday where they will host a series of business and community events in addition to playing two preseason games against the Sacramento Kings as part of NBA Global Games 2014.

The events will be held in Shanghai and Beijing and cater to various audiences, including foreign business leaders and children from the community.

"The Brooklyn Nets brand resonates globally and playing in China gives us a significant opportunity to expand our international appeal," said Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark. "In addition to preparing our players for the upcoming season, we are planning to utilize this trip to meet Chinese business leaders, engage the local community, and to build a lasting presence."

As part of the NBA Global Games 2014, NBA Cares will continue its global social responsibility efforts with community outreach by hosting eight NBA Cares events in seven cities across six countries on four continents.

The first Nets event will be a breakfast panel co-hosted with the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 10. It will be attended by members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham) to discuss the game of business on and off the court, including similarities in running a business and a basketball organization. Nets CEO Brett Yormark and General Manager Billy King, and Kings President Chris Granger and General Manager Pete D'Alessandro will participate on the panel which will be moderated by Kenneth Jarrett, President of AmCham in Shanghai and a former US diplomat.

The following day on Oct. 11, the Nets will get fit in Shanghai by hosting a spin class for executives and traveling party members of the NBA and Nets, NBA legends, and two lucky fans selected through a contest called the Weibo CEO Challenge. Also in Shanghai, the Kings will help dedicate an NBA Cares Learn and Play Center at a migrant school.

The teams play on Sunday, Oct. 12 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, before flying to Beijing. While in Beijing, the Nets together with NBA Cares will host a basketball clinic for 45 hearing-impaired to promote health and fitness and will unveil a refurbished court at Ditan Sports Center on Tuesday, October 14 at a dedication event. The refurbished court event will be attended by Nets center Brook Lopez, along with 50 children from a local school and executives from adidas and the NBA. The black and white adorned indoor court will feature Nets branding.

The Nets will play the Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at MasterCard Center in Beijing.

About the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets were officially launched in April 2012 and play their home games at Barclays Center located at the crossroads of Brooklyn, Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues. A member of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, the Nets advanced to the NBA Playoffs in 2013 and 2014.

Prior to its relocation to Brooklyn, the team was called the New Jersey Nets. Starting in 1977, the Nets played their first four seasons in New Jersey at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, before moving in 1981 to Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford (later renamed Continental Airlines Arena and IZOD Center). They remained in East Rutherford for 29 seasons until relocating to the Prudential Center in Newark in 2010. The Nets have reached the postseason 18 times, won four Atlantic Division titles and two Eastern Conference Championships, reaching the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. Prior to joining the NBA, the team was a member of the ABA and was called the New York Nets. Playing their home games at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, the Nets won two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. Opening in the fall of 2015, Hospital for Special Surgery Training Center in Brooklyn's Industry City will be the new training facility of the Nets.