Breaking News: NBA Slam Dunk Champion Zach LaVine Arrives in Taiwan! Set to Visit Taoyuan on July 31
Reporter Cai Housui / Comprehensive Report
The "2026 Taoyuan Pearl Coast International Music Festival" will be held from August 1 to 2 at the Zhuwei Fishing Harbor in Taoyuan. This grand event has specially invited current NBA superstar Zach LaVine to participate. The Taoyuan City Government hopes to leverage the appeal of this sports icon to showcase the city’s diverse landscape of sports, charity, and cultural tourism.
Invited to Taiwan, LaVine has captivated the world with his explosive athleticism and versatile scoring ability. A two-time NBA All-Star, he also won a gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He is a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, delivering perfect scores with jaw-dropping dunks such as the "between-the-legs dunk from the free-throw line," cementing his legacy as a modern "flying" icon.
During his packed visit, LaVine will pay a courtesy call to the Taoyuan City Government, attend an "International Professional Basketball Stars Exhibition Game," participate in a charity fan meeting, and enjoy a city tour of Daxi. The city government hopes that this year’s event, built on an expanded cross-sector integration, will perfectly combine music performances, sports events, and local original culture, deepening the tourism brand positioning of Taoyuan's Pearl Coast.
LaVine is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on July 31 and will visit the Taoyuan City Government, where he will be personally received by Mayor Zhang Shanzheng, representing the warmest welcome from Taoyuan citizens. The city government’s invitation for LaVine to participate in the exhibition game and music festival not only marks a significant step in promoting international sports exchange but also aims to expand Taoyuan’s international horizons through the integration of sports, music, tourism, and culture.
On August 1, LaVine will head to the Zhuwei Fishing Harbor Canopy Basketball Court to attend the "International Professional Basketball Stars Exchange Game" held in conjunction with the music festival. Now in its second year, the event adopts the slogan "Taoyuan Moment," symbolizing how Taoyuan uses basketball as a medium to unite local culture, city scenery, and public enthusiasm. LaVine will appear alongside stars from the "Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards" on the "Coastal Passion" stage. The event will also feature a three-point contest and an electrifying slam dunk contest, where six local high-flyers will compete.
In addition, LaVine will take the main stage of the music festival, aiming to bring together international-level stars and local energy, combining basketball, music, and city features to create the season’s most iconic highlight.
Amid his packed schedule, the city government has also arranged for LaVine to experience Taoyuan’s local culture and scenery. On the morning of August 2, LaVine is expected to attend a charity fan meeting jointly organized by the Taoyuan City Government Sports Bureau, the local "Taoyuan Daxi Sheraton Westin Resort Hotel," and the "Taiwan Down Syndrome Foundation." The event aims to raise public awareness of the Down Syndrome Foundation and encourage continued support for people with disabilities. In the afternoon, a city tour of Daxi Old Street will allow LaVine to explore historic buildings rich in cultural heritage. The city government hopes this cultural tourism experience will give LaVine a deep appreciation of Taoyuan’s local characteristics and leave him with wonderful memories of Taiwan.
