LeBron James is returning to China for the 15th time with Nike as part of his upcoming Forever King Tour, deepening his connection with local basketball communities while marking the 20th anniversary of his first Nike tour of Asia.
Ahead of his 23rd NBA season, LeBron will visit Shanghai and Chengdu next month to share his love for basketball with some of the world’s most ardent and loyal fans, inspiring the next generation along the way.
“There’s an unbelievable love and appreciation for basketball in Asia that’s always incredible to experience,” says LeBron. “To have the opportunity to share the game with fans and connect with athletes all over the world means a lot to me.”
While in China, LeBron will work directly with young hoopers from the latest cohort of the Nike RISE program, which has enabled the growth and transformation of countless athletes over the past decade — supporting the holistic development of the next generation by connecting grassroots passion with professional pathways.
The young players of RISE 2025, who advanced through two intense tryouts this summer, will receive focused mental and physical training under LeBron’s personal guidance, sharpening their skills for the next level. Following the training, LeBron will unveil the final RISING 10 rosters for boys and girls —teams forged through three months of dedication and perseverance. In Chengdu, the boys team will face off against a Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic team, while the girls team will compete against an EYBL Girls squad, with both high-level international competitions showcasing the athletes’ growth on a global stage.
“My message has always been the same to the next generation of athletes who are inspired to play the game: If there’s something that you love to do, go out and do it,” says LeBron. “Fall in love with the process and not the results. That’s the number one key to me, and I always try to instill that in anyone who’s inspired by what I do or needs words of encouragement about how to reach their goals.”
LeBron first visited China in 2005 as part of his inaugural Nike tour of Asia and returned to the country 13 times over the next 14 years — growing the game among a generation of athletes and fans, empowering youth to strive for greatness, and creating connections between American and Chinese basketball culture. His visit to Shanghai will be his eighth since 2007; he’s visited Chengdu once prior, in 2011.
The Forever King Tour represents LeBron and Nike’s shared, longstanding commitment to giving back to the game: championing athletes, inspiring the next generation and fueling global basketball culture. The tour also reflects a shared belief in the power of basketball to build bridges between countries, challenge young athletes to chase their dreams, and create lasting impact among athletes and fans.
Follow along with LeBron’s Forever King Tour on Instagram at @nikebasketball.