LOS ANGELES – APRIL 6, 2021 – Global mobile game publisher Netmarble Corp officially launches NBA Ball Stars today – an all-new, puzzle-based, mobile basketball game starring 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant as its cover athlete. Now live on the App Store and Google Play, NBA Ball Stars, created in collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA), is the first publishing project for Netmarble’s Los Angeles-based subsidiaries Netmarble US and Kung Fu Factory.

NBA Ball Stars combines star players from the NBA, fast-paced gameplay and franchise-building skills into a strategic, team-based game suitable for general sports fans, casual gamers and players of all levels. Gamers will take charge of their favorite team and make a run for the championship title, choosing from an extensive line-up of NBA players to draft and train. By successfully bursting sequences of matching gems, players control their team and power-up their athletes to execute special shots, steals, slam dunks and more.

“Our partnership with the NBA has been momentous in the creation of a unique genre of game with appeal beyond casual gamers and sports fans to broader NBA culture, within the mobile gaming industry," said Simon Sim, President of Netmarble US. “Kung Fu Factory's expertise in the sports action and puzzle space has also been paramount to this project, and we’re proud to debut our first publishing project together, with fresh content and surprises planned for players in the months ahead.”

With a variety of accessible matchups and quick-play sessions, NBA Ball Stars players have full franchise control at their fingertips, including:

•Collecting and Managing NBA Stars – Gamers can create customized lineups from a large selection of the NBA’s ongoing athlete roster. Strengthening their team’s talent enables players to compete for a chance to attain rare rewards and move up the leaderboard to gain trophies. 

•Powering Up Players Through Gem-Bursting Success – Successful puzzle gameplay powers up players, increases offensive and defensive skills, and unlocks signature moves. Strategically clear any defensive "Blocker Gems" placed by opponents on the board and generate electrifying, board-clearing effects to bring home victory.

•Strategizing Lineups to Succeed in the Playoffs – By increasing their OVR (overall rating), gamers will train their favorite players over time, use the Formations System to strategize ideal line-ups, and utilize their athletes’ unique skillsets to take a shot at winning the championship. 

NBA Ball Stars is available as a free download starting today (with in-app purchases) on the App Store and Google Play. For more information on future updates, including new seasons, players and other content, please visit the official website (https://nbaballstars.netmarble.com/), and follow NBA Ball Stars on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.