NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers to participate in USA Pavilion

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the USA Pavilion organizers announced on July 3, 2010 that the NBA will support the efforts of the USA Pavilion at the Expo 2010 Shanghai. Derek Fisher, of the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, will participate in events at the USA Pavilion in July.

The World Expo, expected to attract 70 million visitors, marks the debut of the Shanghai World Expo Culture Center. The NBA recently opened its eighth NBA Store in China at the venue on May 1.

The NBA will support the USA Pavilion theme of "Rising to the Challenge," which tells the story of the American spirit of perseverance, innovation, teamwork, and community-building in a three-act, multidimensional, hi-tech presentation. The Pavilion showcases shared values between the United States and China and presents the United States as a place of opportunity and diversity where people come together to change their communities for the better.

"I am excited that the NBA will be supporting and participating in events at the USA Pavilion. The popularity of basketball in China is exploding and this partnership will bring the sport and American culture to the Expo," said U.S. Commissioner General Ambassador José H. Villarreal. "I'm especially pleased Derek Fisher, of the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, will be coming to the USA Pavilion in July."

Fisher will have an interactive discussion with players from a local high school basketball team, a conversation that will streamed on a large Chinese web portal. The five-time NBA champion will also meet and greet a group of USA Pavilion Student Ambassadors – bilingual college students from across the U.S. – volunteering at the USA Pavilion.

By People's Daily Online