New four-part series on NBA India YouTube celebrates inspiring Indian basketball stories through original hip-hop by regional artists; Skechers returns as presenting partner
Mumbai, India – June 25, 2025:The National Basketball Association (NBA), in collaboration with global footwear and apparel giant Skechers, has launched Season Two of the acclaimed “Hoop Nation” docuseries in India. Streaming now on the https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJCF72f0H_wZZdzBYUkXQs2_ChTXTJKUF the four-part lyrical series spotlights real-life basketball stories from India, narrated through the voice of Indian hip-hop.
Skechers returns as the Presenting Partner, reinforcing its commitment to growing basketball culture across India by supporting both grassroots talent and powerful storytelling.
From the Streets to the Spotlight
Hoop Nation Season 2 features four compelling narratives:
Ishrat Akhter – an international wheelchair basketball player from Baramulla, Kashmir
Deepak P. Babu – a devoted mentor and content creator from Alappuzha, Kerala
The Lao Family – a father-daughter duo preserving Indo-Chinese heritage through basketball in Kolkata
Farooque Shaikh – a passionate community leader from Mumbai’s Nagpada neighborhood
Each story is elevated by original tracks from India’s rising hip-hop artists, including:
Straight Outta Srinagar (SOS) – Kashmir’s underground rap duo
ThirumaLi – Malayalam hip-hop powerhouse
EPR Iyer – Kolkata-based lyrical pioneer
QK – Mumbai rapper-singer bringing emotion and rhythm together
The docuseries reflects how basketball is becoming a transformative force for youth empowerment and local identity in diverse corners of India.
“Hoop Nation Season 2 embodies the spirit of basketball in India—a game that unites, uplifts, and inspires,” said Rajah Chaudhry, Head of Strategy, NBA Asia, and Country Head, NBA India. “Partnering with Skechers allows us to amplify these real-life stories and deepen our connection with India’s growing basketball community.”
Skechers: Driving Innovation On and Off the CourtSkechers, also the official kit partner of the ACG Jr. NBA program—India’s largest school-based basketball tournament—brings elite-level performance gear to the series. Worn by NBA stars like Joel Embiid and Julius Randle, Skechers Basketball shoes provide the “Comfort That Performs®” for India’s rising players too.> Rahul Vira, CEO of Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd., said:“At Skechers, we believe in the power of sport to uplift communities. Hoop Nation is not just content—it’s a movement. Through this collaboration with the NBA, we’re empowering Indian talent and making high-performance basketball accessible from playgrounds to pro courts.”The ACG Jr. NBA Program engaged 4,000+ youth from 500+ schools in 2024, and this multi-platform collaboration continues to bridge content, community, and court access across India.