The Asian Basketball scenario will soon be hot, and Dwight Howard will be right in the middle of it. For those unaware, D12 has not only become a part-owner of the Taiwan Mustangs but also part-owner of the Taiwanese basketball league. No wonder the former NBA star is in the region ahead of the important event. During his visit, however, D12 had an interesting interaction with a 24-year-old Taiwanese YouTuber and Twitch streamer with 1.6 million followers on Instagram.
Howard himself shared a video on Instagram of him meeting Ray Asian Boy. The former Los Angeles Lakers star said in the video that he has seen Ray somewhere else. The 24-year-old, however, had a humbling yet hilarious response. “Not every Asian guy looks like me,” he said in the video. Things, however, get even more interesting further.
Not only did Howard have Ray on a podcast of sorts, but he also invited the young streamer to his own league, as mentioned in the translated version of Dwight Howard’s IG caption. Now, if you’re not completely familiar with Chen Ruie Ray Shu, better known as Ray Asian Boy, he’s a rising star in the streaming world.
He’s built a solid fan base by collaborating with big names, including American streaming sensation Kai Cenat. In fact, their bond is so strong that Cenat even bought Ray a house this year. “Bought a house for my friends god is good,” Kai wrote in a post on X this year.
But Ray isn’t just about content creation—he’s also a hooper. So the real question is: does he have the skills to back it up if he accepts D12’s invitation for the Asian tournament? Turns out, Dwight Howard was wondering the same thing, and he made it known in another Instagram post.
“Should @rayasianboy_ tryout for @dwighthoward ‘s league in Asia?” read the caption. That’s right—Howard isn’t just joking around. He’s actually offering athletes a real shot at turning pro through The Asian Tournament.
Now, you might be thinking, what’s a Twitch star got to do with a pro basketball league? Well, in Dwight’s world, it’s all about finding talent where you least expect it and creating a buzz that gets everyone talking. But the real story here isn’t just about a potential streamer-turned-hooper; it’s about Dwight Howard’s grand plan to shake up the Asian basketball scene, and he’s starting by offering some serious opportunities.
Dwight Howard is offering pro contracts through the Asian Basketball tournament
Mark your calendars—The Asian Tournament’s exclusive pro combine is set for April 12-13, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. And this isn’t just another scouting event; it’s a legit chance for overlooked talent to get noticed and play professionally overseas. “Come on out to @theasiantournament PRO TRYOUT IN ATLANTA HOSTED BY DWIGHT HOWARD, TAT AND SHOOT360 [fire emojis],” Howard posted, putting the call out for hoopers ready to make a name for themselves.
And here’s where things get serious. Howard revealed that by the end of the tryout, two players will walk away with professional contracts for the upcoming TAT season. Meanwhile, two more will land 10-day contracts, giving them a chance to prove themselves and earn full-season deals.
If that wasn’t enough, the event will also feature basketball veterans who know the game inside and out. Howard will be joined by former NBA players Sebastian Telfair and Andray Blatche, who will serve as scouts and mentors. For those trying to break into the pro scene, this is an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of people who’ve played at the highest level.
So, will Ray take Howard up on his offer and try out for the league? That remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure—the basketball world is watching.
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