2024 CAMPUS Invitational Kicks Off at SJTU
At 18:00 on August 16, CAMPUS Invitational tipped off at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s (SJTU) Huo Yingdong Stadium. Before thousands of live spectators, the SJTU basketball team clashed with New York University’s squad in two thrilling matchups.
The tournament was organized under the guidance of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Shanghai Media Group (SMG), with Five Star Sports Media as the main organizer. ESPN served as global media partner, while SJTU and NYU Shanghai co-hosted the event. Additional support came from: Shanghai Basketball Association (co-organizer), SAIC-GM Buick (title sponsor), PepsiCo China - Gatorade (official partner), Shanghai Shendi Group and Nike China (supporting units). The event also received funding from SMG’s Arts and Humanities Development Foundation
In his opening remarks, Fang Shizhong, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Director of SMG, pointed out that the most appealing thing about sports is that while sweating and competing with passion, we can meet different friends, discover a different side of ourselves, and collectively experience the strength and beauty of life. He expressed his hope that university students from China and the United States would embody the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together” at the Five-Star International Elite University Challenge, competing fairly, engaging in friendly exchanges, forging friendships, and making progress together.
Fang Shizhong, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Director of Shanghai Media Group
SJTU President Ding Kuiling stated that 2024 CAMPUS Invitational had established a platform to further strengthen exchanges between Chinese and American youth. He also expressed his sincere hope that the competing students can forge friendships through basketball on the court while sharing the joy and passion of sports. Beyond the arena, may they join hands to explore boundless possibilities for future collaboration.
DING Kuiling, SJTU President
Jeffrey Lehman, NYU Shanghai’s Vice Chancellor and American Co-President as well as an Honorary Citizen of Shanghai, emphasized in his address: “At our university, we firmly believe that the well-being of all humanity depends on whether today’s generation is willing to transcend borders, forge friendships, and engage with people from all nations and cultural backgrounds.”
Jeffrey Lehman
Vice Chancellor and American Co-President of NYU Shanghai
Honorary Citizen of Shanghai
U.S. Consul General in Shanghai Scott Walker stated in his remarks: “We believe sports possess a unique power to transcend the games themselves—bridging divides and uniting people together.”
Scott Walker
U.S. Consul General in Shanghai
In Game 1, SJTU Men’s Basketball Team defeated NYU 73-56 in a championship showdown. As a perennial quarterfinalist in CUBAL (China University Basketball Association League), SJTU maintained consistent offensive pressure through transition plays sparked by aggressive defense. Though NYU narrowed the gap with accurate three-point shooting, they couldn’t contain SJTU’s balanced scoring attack. Wu Zehao earned MVP honors with an all-around performance of 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, leading his team to lift the championship trophy.
The second game featured a showdown between the two women’s basketball teams. The NYU women’s team, which had secured last season’s NCAA Division III championship with an undefeated 31-0 record, displayed seamless coordination from the opening tip-off. However, the SJTU women’s team, last season’s Southeast Regional champions of the CUBAL Division I, refused to back down. The score remained tight throughout the game, and it wasn’t until the final moments that SJTU pulled ahead, defeating NYU 69-64 to claim the championship trophy. Zhao Ruohan delivered a standout performance with 23 points and 8 rebounds, making her MVP title well-deserved.
Reimagining Excellence: Spotlighting Shanghai’s New Cultural Landmark
The CAMPUS Invitational, the inaugural premium collegiate tournament co-created by Five Star Media and ESPN, has become a vibrant platform for intercultural exchange. From its initial promotion, the event captured widespread attention, resonating deeply with young fans who hailed it as “one of the most anticipated basketball events this summer”—its collegiate spirit offering an organic connection that professional leagues often lack.
The CAMPUS Invitational brought together college basketball players from China and the United States through the tremendous appeal of the sport, allowing them to showcase their youthful energy. Played under FIBA rules (4×10-minute quarters), the tournament saw both sides field their strongest lineups, treating this rare cross-cultural basketball encounter with competitive reverence.
Most of the audience consisted of classmates and teachers of the players on the court. During the intense competition—especially when both teams executed brilliant scoring plays—waves of cheers erupted, electrifying everyone in the arena. Even global viewers watching the live broadcast through platforms like Five Star Sports, ESPNU, or online streaming could feel the excitement through their screens, as the energy and emotion transcended the broadcast.
The event also drew prominent supporters from government, academia, and cultural sectors, including:
Chen Jing, President of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Ding Kuiling, President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Fang Shizhong, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Director of Shanghai Media Group
Scott Walker, U.S. Consul General in Shanghai
Jeffrey Lehman, Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai and Honorary Citizen of Shanghai
Representatives from key partner organizations also cheered on the athletes, including leadership from: Shanghai Shendi Group, Shanghai Media Group, the Walt Disney Company, and NYU Shanghai.
Precision and Care Elevate the Tournament's Professional Excellence
Beyond the intense on-court competition, organizers meticulously crafted an immersive atmosphere through multiple dimensions - from dynamic LED displays and vibrant spotlights to electrifying cheer performances and engaging interactive segments, each element synergistically enhancing the event’s exhilarating ambiance.
Many faculty members and students from both SJTU and NYU arrived at the venue well in advance. Student spectators remarked that while they had previously attended domestic professional league games with excellent atmospheres, they could immediately feel an intense competitive vibe upon entering this collegiate event - truly living up to its name.
Beyond the thrilling matches, the organizers enriched the event experience by incorporating interactive segments during intermissions. Title sponsor SAIC-GM Buick and supporting partner Nike China hosted engaging activities including a free-throw shooting contest and skills challenge for spectators, with winners receiving commemorative gifts - infusing the intense competition with lighthearted moments and laughter.
To guarantee seamless tournament operations, SJTU mobilized over 80 trained volunteers. FIBA-certified referees maintained competitive integrity throughout the matches, while the university’s medical team provided real-time athlete health monitoring - creating a comprehensive support system worthy of this international showcase.
Building Bridges Through Basketball
This tournament forged profound friendships between Chinese and American players. From pre-game handshakes to post-game embraces, athletes consistently demonstrated sportsmanship beyond competition. Winning or losing, players exchanged mutual respect for each other's performance. “This was more than just basketball,” said one participant. “We came to compete, but left with lifelong connections - that’s the true victory.”
Prior to the tournament, organizers extended heartfelt invitations for NYU delegations to explore Shanghai, curating immersive urban experiences for them to observe, engage with, and absorb the city’s vibrant culture. Multiple off-court exchange activities were arranged between SJTU and NYU athletes - initiatives that not only fostered mutual understanding but became dynamic platforms for showcasing Shanghai’s contemporary identity. SJTU players spontaneously became cultural ambassadors, guiding their NYU counterparts through Shanghai’s culinary and artistic heritage. “I’m fascinated by Chinese characters,” remarked one NYU athlete, while others raved about xiaolongbao and shengjianbao.
After months of intense preparations, the CAMPUS Invitational has successfully concluded. This event, which celebrated both fierce competition and lasting friendship, provided a platform for the teams to hone their basketball skills while fostering deeper exchanges between students from the two universities. Players from SJTU's men’s and women’s basketball teams expressed their hope for more opportunities to showcase the charm of competitive basketball, and to promote further communication through games.