Tam Dinh and Justin Young, who have been rivals for many years at the VBA but are close friends in the Vietnamese national basketball team, often accompany each other in many activities in everyday life.

First VBA season joiners

Right in the first season in 2016, the VBA attracted Tam Dinh and Justin Young, two returnees from the U.S., to the competition. They have stuck with it until now.

Before becoming a basketball player that later scored the most points in the VBA history, Tam Dinh used to work hard to earn a living. He took many jobs, including a crane driver. 

Meanwhile, Justin Young passed up the opportunity to get a doctorate in the U.S. to pursue a career as a professional basketball player in his native Vietnam.

During the six-year journey at the VBA, the two players have won many individual and team achievements in the top professional basketball tournament of Vietnam.

Specifically, Justin Young won the 2017 VBA championship with Thang Long Warriors after the “Best Defender of 2016” title. 

Meanwhile, Tam Dinh and his Cantho Catfish teammates became the VBA champions in 2018.

He also won the “Best Player of the Year” title in 2019.

Justin Young (second left) and Tam Dinh (first right) both play for the Vietnamese national basketball team. Photo: VBA

The two players have competed face to face on the court many times, each of which under a different club. 

One of their most notable confrontations is the 2017 VBA final, when Justin Young’s Thang Long Warriors staged a come-back to win against Tam Dinh’s Cantho Catfish.

In 2019, Vietnamese basketball achieved great success when the national team won two bronze medals in the 5x5 and 3x3 events at the 30th SEA Games. 

Part of this historic milestone was attributed to Tam Dinh and Justin Young.

Justin Young (right) and Tam Dinh pose for a photo during a volunteer activity. Photo: VBA

Showbiz and volunteering participation

In addition to being both opponents and teammates on the wooden floor, the two Vietnamese-born players have accompanied each other in many daily life activities, entertainment programs, and a movie about COVID-19 that is scheduled to be released later this year, as well as in working as photo models for fashion brands.

Besides, Tam Dinh and Justin Young have also participated in many volunteer activities, such as children’s teaching classes, to contribute to the development of Vietnamese basketball.

Despite different starting points and living conditions, the two basketball stars have become close friends thanks to their love for the sport.

At the 31st SEA Games, they will continue to play side by side in the Vietnamese team towards the goal of topping the podium in the men’s basketball 5x5 and 3x3 events.

Justin Young (right) and Tam Dinh promote the development of basketball at an amateur tournament. Photo: VBA

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