SEOUL – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and BIGHIT MUSIC, the music label under HYBE Corp (HYBE), the industry-leading global entertainment lifestyle company, today announced that K-pop group CORTIS has been named to “Friends of the NBA,” the league’s celebrity and influencer program in Asia.

The collaboration between the league and CORTIS, the five-member K-pop boy band redefining the genre, will celebrate the intersection of sports and music.  The boundary-pushing group will attend NBA games and events, collaborate with the league on a variety of original content initiatives, co-develop NBA-branded apparel and merchandise, participate in the league’s promotional activities, and more.

The NBA recently announced CORTIS as one of the musical performers at NBA Crossover, the league’s ultimate fan experience taking place Thursday, Feb. 12 – Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of NBA All-Star 2026.  The group will make history as the first K-pop act to perform at NBA All-Star by headlining NBA Crossover Opening Night on Feb. 12.  CORTIS is also set for other soon-to-be-announced appearances during NBA All-Star.

Additional information about the collaboration will be announced at a later date.  Fans can visit www.nba.com/CORTIS to sign up to receive news and updates and follow CORTIS on Weverse.

“Joining the ‘Friends of the NBA’ is a milestone we didn’t imagine reaching so early in our career,” said CORTIS.  “As a group that strives to ‘color outside the lines,’ we see a natural connection between our music and the creative, boundary-pushing spirit of the NBA, and we aim to bring that same intensity to our music and performances.  We are beyond excited to bring our energy to represent the NBA and to connect with fans through this unique collaboration of sports and culture.”

“Welcoming CORTIS into our ‘Friends of the NBA’ program highlights the powerful synergy between sport and music,” said NBA Asia Managing Director Wayne Chang.  “K-pop embodies many of the same qualities as the NBA, with its ability to inspire passion, creativity, and global fandom.  Together with CORTIS, we will celebrate the artistry of basketball and K-pop and create new and unforgettable experiences for audiences worldwide, beginning next month at NBA All-Star in Los Angeles.”

CORTIS’ debut EP entered the Billboard 200 at No. 15, making them the only 2025 rookie group to achieve this milestone.  With over 100 million streams in their first month and a rapidly growing fanbase of more than 17 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, CORTIS was hailed by Rolling Stone as “the coolest K-pop debut” of 2025.

The collaboration between the NBA and CORTIS builds on the league’s growing relationship with K-pop that began with BTS star SUGA – an NBA Ambassador since 2023 – LE SSERAFIM and ENHYPEN, who were named to “Friends of the NBA” in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Launched in 2022, “Friends of the NBA” features celebrities and influencers from across the Asia-Pacific region who participate in NBA games, events and programming, and engage with NBA fans globally.

Tickets to NBA Crossover are available now at NBAEvents.com, where fans can gain access to the full spectrum of experiences at NBA Crossover, including access to all concerts and experiences, with VIP packages offering exclusive stage views and earlier venue entry.

About CORTIS
CORTIS (MARTIN, JAMES, JUHOON, SEONGHYEON, and KEONHO) is the first boy band in six years to debut under BIGHIT MUSIC, the powerhouse label behind iconic global groups. The name CORTIS is an unconventional mix of six letters drawn from the phrase “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES,” reflecting their determination to think beyond the boundaries defined by the world. True to this ethos, the members present themselves as boundary-pushing originals who create on their own terms. Their 1st EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, released worldwide on September 8, 2025, debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, highlighting their rapid rise as one of the most talked-about new acts of the year.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries.  The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.