The meeting between the Atlanta Dream of the Women's NBA, and the Great Britain national team in Manchester this weekend will serve as more than just a warm-up for GB's European Championship campaign.
It will mark the first time a WNBA team has played in Europe and forms a new front in the NBA's assault on the UK basketball market.
Since 2007, the NBA's has staged annual pre-season games in London in the hope of getting more people watching and playing the sport in the UK and hence increasing their awareness of the NBA.
On Sunday, Manchester's MEN Arena will host experienced WNBA side Atlanta Dream against the British women's team.
"The UK is a priority market for the NBA and we've been very encouraged by the progress the NBA has made," NBA Europe senior vice-president Sophie Goldschmidt told BBC Sport.
"Football is hugely popular but basketball is the second most popular sport in the world. And we've see positive trends in the UK," she added.
Although the NBA continues to struggle with sustained impact in the UK, one-off games tend to be successful.
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