Calling India’s basketball future “very bright”, Isiah Thomas believes it is only a matter of time before the country produces elite talent capable of making an impact on the global stage.
The two-time NBA champion and National Basketball Association Hall of Famer arrived in New Delhi ahead of the second edition of BUDX NBA House 2026, which will be held at the Bharat Mandapam on May 9 and 10.
Thomas is joined by four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for the immersive basketball and youth culture festival that blends sport, music, fashion and entertainment.
Speaking ahead of the event, the former Detroit Pistons icon said he was excited to interact with Indian fans and young players through coaching sessions and celebrity games.
“I am excited to be a coach, looking forward to coaching at the game, coaching the celebrities and hoping everyone can have fun and enjoy the music and the culture,” Thomas said.
The 64-year-old basketball legend also praised the growth of sporting infrastructure and grassroots participation in India, particularly at the school level.
“At the grade school and high school level, they already have gymnasiums, they already are playing outside on the court. So you have a lot of interest in sports,” he said.
Thomas added that India’s growing basketball culture and massive youth population make the country a strong candidate to eventually produce world-class players.
“The future of India in Basketball is very bright. You have a lot of young people now playing the game. You have a lot of young people following the game. It’s just a matter of time until someone breaks through,” he said.
The BUDX NBA House fan festival will feature celebrity games, live performances, streetwear showcases, fan interaction zones and basketball masterclasses as part of the NBA’s continued efforts to expand the sport’s footprint in India.
Thomas also highlighted basketball’s ability to unite communities and inspire young people through values such as teamwork, discipline and leadership.
Isiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins interact with KKR stars in Delhi
Ahead of the event, Thomas and Cousins also met players from Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL side’s stay in Delhi on Friday.
Purple & Gold meets the NBA Royalty. 💜🏀
It was all about swapping stories, jerseys, and skills as Isiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins linked up with the @KKRiders in Delhi! 🤩#NBA #NBAIndia | 📸 1/3 pic.twitter.com/LwEB3cvWfp
— NBA India (@NBAIndia) May 8, 2026
The NBA stars exchanged basketballs for cricket bats during a friendly interaction with KKR players, including Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, Ankrish Raghuvanshi and Tim Seifert, as part of a “Purple & Gold” crossover promoting BUDX NBA House 2026.
The interaction, held at the ITC Maurya in New Delhi, also included jersey swaps and conversations around basketball, cricket and global sports culture before the legends later unveiled the event programming for the weekend festival.