The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Skechers, a global leader in performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel, have announced the launch of “Hoop Nation” Season Two in India.
This four-part lyrical docuseries, presented by Skechers, dives deep into compelling basketball stories from across the nation, showcasing the sport’s profound impact beyond the court. The entire series is now available for streaming on the official NBA India YouTube channel.
Building on the success of its first season, “Hoop Nation” Season Two continues its mission to highlight the human spirit intertwined with the game of basketball. Each episode features inspiring individuals who have leveraged basketball to overcome challenges, foster community, and achieve significant personal growth. These captivating narratives are further enriched by original contributions from a new generation of Indian hip-hop artists, whose powerful lyrics and beats elevate the storytelling.
The docuseries spotlights a diverse array of remarkable figures, all prominently sporting innovative Skechers basketball footwear. Among those featured is Ishrat Akhter from Baramulla, Kashmir, an international wheelchair basketball player whose inspiring journey is chronicled in “Episode 1 – Flight of Dreams.” This episode features original music from Straight Outta Srinagar (SOS), a dynamic duo from Kashmir’s burgeoning underground music scene.Also highlighted is Deepak P. Babu from Alappuzha, Kerala, a dedicated fan, mentor, and content creator whose story unfolds in “Episode 2 – Come Together.” Malayalam hip-hop artist ThirumaLi contributes to this episode. The series also spotlights Isabel Liao from Kolkata, part of a compelling father-daughter duo from Kolkata’s Indo-Chinese community, with Isabel’s narrative serving as the inspiration for “Episode 3 – Remember Who We Are.” This episode includes an original track from EPR Iyer, a seasoned artist and trailblazer in the Indian hip-hop movement. Additionally, Farooque Shaikh, a committed basketball advocate, contributes his unique perspective to the series alongside QK, a rising star from Mumbai celebrated for her unique fusion of Hindi and Marathi lyrics, in “Legendary Hood.”
Rajah Chaudhry, NBA Asia Head of Strategy and NBA India Country Head said, “Hoop Nation season two embodies the spirit of basketball in India – a game that unites, inspires, and drives change. Skechers shares the NBA’s goal of growing basketball in India and providing fans and players across the country with more opportunities to engage with the league and the game. With Hoop Nation season two, we are bringing authentic stories of resilience and passion to the forefront and engaging the growing Indian basketball community in a new and creative way.”
Rahul Vira, CEO of Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd., added, “At Skechers, we believe in the transformative power of sport to inspire communities and drive long-term impact. Our continued association with the NBA through initiatives like Hoop Nation and the ACG Jr. NBA program highlights our commitment to fostering the growth of basketball in India at every level. Our roster of elite NBA pros like Joel Embiid and Julius Randle have brought the ‘Comfort That Performs’ of Skechers Basketball to their game. At the same time, we’re empowering the next generation of Indian players by providing them with innovative, high-performance footwear and apparel that will help them dominate on the court. This collaboration supports our mission to amplify local talent, elevate authentic stories, and take the development of basketball to the next level across the country.”
Beyond the docuseries, the partnership between Skechers and the NBA extends further. Skechers continues to serve as the official kit partner for the ACG Jr. NBA program, India’s largest school-based basketball initiative. This nationwide 3v3 tournament for top U-14 players successfully engaged over 4,000 youth from more than 500 schools in the past year, underscoring a commitment to nurturing grassroots participation and elite talent alike.
This collaboration between the NBA and Skechers clearly demonstrates a shared vision to expand basketball’s reach and influence throughout India, diligently fostering both elite talent and widespread grassroots participation through compelling storytelling and comprehensive development programs.
