Bangkok: A major shake-up in Thai basketball is on the horizon as the Basketball Future Star 2026 program is set to bring US scouts to scout promising Asian players for scholarships to study abroad, with the goal of sending Thai talent to the NBA by 2040. A new chapter in Thai youth basketball history is being written as Thailand is selected to host the 'Basketball Future Star Tournament 2026' (Road to USA).

According to Thai News Agency, this tournament is a first-of-its-kind international event in Asia, designed to provide a platform for scouts and coaches from the United States to discover promising Asian athletes for professional sports careers and scholarships. The long-term goal is to propel Thai athletes to the NBA by 2040. The Agency College Recruit (AR), in partnership with Rugby School Bangkok and the Youth Baller League (YBL), held a press conference at the S31 Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok to announce their readiness to host the inaugural tournament.

The press conference was attended by Mr. Nipon Chavalitmontien, President of the Basketball Association of Thailand, and Mr. Nattapol Teepsuwan, Chairman of the Basketball Future Star Tournament (Road to USA). Joining them were Mr. Ton Na Ranong, a sports management expert, Mr. Tanakorn Duangmani, CEO of The Agency College Recruit, and Mr. Kritpas Pattanakarn, Manager of the Youth Basketball League (YBL), along with Mr. John Alexander (CEO Global Squad), and parents of scholarship students.

The tournament will consist of four events throughout 2026, beginning in Thailand at Rugby School Thailand in Chonburi province on February 21-22. The second event is scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 2-3, followed by Manila, Philippines on July 25-26. The series will conclude with a final event back in Thailand in October 2026 at Rugby School Thailand in Chonburi province.