Lam Dong Basketball Strengthens Its Standing Through Long-Term Investment
Driven by a strong grassroots movement, Lam Dong has built a comprehensive basketball team system over the years, consistently maintaining a place among the leaders at national competitions and winning numerous medals for the province.
Built on a Strong Grassroots Movement
According to Nguyen Hoang Nam, General Secretary of the Lam Dong Basketball Federation and head coach of the Lam Dong women's basketball team, the sport has been growing strongly in many wards and communes across the province, including Phan Thiet, Bac Binh, La Gi, Ham Thuan Bac, Duc Trong, and areas around Bao Loc and Da Lat.
Many localities have had basketball movements for years, attracting participants from multiple generations. Bao Loc, for instance, once had a basketball team that competed in national tournaments for many consecutive years. At present, Phan Thiet has the strongest basketball movement in the province.
An estimated more than 500 people across the province currently play basketball, with over 10 clubs and dozens of courts operating daily. Players come from various groups, but students remain the largest group. Basketball is also becoming increasingly popular in schools, with 3x3 tournaments held annually. In Phan Thiet and Da Lat, numerous basketball classes have been established, attracting large numbers of teenagers and young people.
Building on this grassroots movement, in recent years the Lam Dong Basketball Federation has worked with relevant authorities to organize the Provincial Basketball Championship and Club Cup. It has also partnered with businesses and organizations to hold 3x3 tournaments through socialized funding. Some localities with strong basketball movements, such as Hai Ninh, also organize annual competitions. Many schools, including Yersin University of Da Lat, hold school basketball tournaments that attract numerous teams.
Among the Nation's Top Three in Basketball
Over the years, Lam Dong has developed a relatively comprehensive basketball team system, from men's and women's senior teams to youth squads, creating a pipeline of athletes for the future.
The men's basketball team currently has 14 players and is coached by former Binh Thuan basketball player Ngo Thanh Hung. For many years, the team has competed among the leaders alongside teams from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at national tournaments.
Despite undergoing a generational transition, with an average age of around 24-25, the team remains among the country's top five. Currently, player Vo Huy Hoang is training with the national basketball team.
"We will work hard to maintain our position among the top five at this year's National Sports Games," Hung said.
Compared with the men's team, the women's basketball team has fewer members, currently numbering just 7 players. The oldest is 32, while the youngest is only 22.
According to head coach Nguyen Hoang Nam, to create competition and refresh the squad, the team adds outstanding athletes from youth and grassroots programs every year. As a result, the team has maintained a high level of competitive spirit and achieved an impressive run of results in recent years.
In July 2026, the Lam Dong women's basketball team won a bronze medal at the national U18 5x5 Youth Basketball Championship in Hue. Previously, in April 2026, the team also won bronze at the National Strong Teams Basketball Championship in Nha Trang.
In 2025, the team won bronze at the National Basketball Championship and gold at the National U23 Championship. In 2023 and 2024, the team won bronze in both the National Championship and National U23 Championship. At the 2022 National Sports Games, the team also claimed a bronze medal.
Every year, we work with relevant departments to organize provincial-level tournaments effectively to maintain and develop the grassroots movement, with the goal of bringing basketball to more communes, wards and schools. The more people play, the stronger the movement will become.
Nguyen Duy Ninh, Chairman of the Lam Dong Basketball Federation
The provincial youth basketball team currently has 12 athletes across the U14, U16, U18 and U20 age groups.
"We select outstanding athletes from grassroots tournaments on a four-year cycle. Children aged 12 and above who are at least 1.6 meters tall and demonstrate athletic potential are selected. After one year of training, we reassess the squad to replace or add players. Outstanding athletes from the youth system are then promoted to the senior team," said Nguyen Quang Dung, head coach of the provincial youth basketball team.
The Lam Dong youth basketball team has performed well at national youth tournaments for many years. This year alone, the team won bronze medals in both the 3x3 and 5x5 U18 events.
According to the coaches, thanks to systematic investment and the development of a deep talent pool, Lam Dong basketball is establishing itself among the country's strongest teams, behind Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The province currently has more than 500 basketball players, over 10 clubs and dozens of courts in daily use. Lam Dong has also developed a relatively comprehensive basketball team system, from men's and women's senior teams to youth squads, creating a pipeline of athletes for the future.