Kia Motors America (KMA), the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, declared Vasili Spanos the 2009 Kia Motors Performance Challenge winner on Sunday, July 12 at the final NBA Nation, presented by T-Mobile USA and Kia Motors, tour stop in Dallas. As the winner, Spanos has selected the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan.

"The Performance Challenge at NBA Nation keeps passionate NBA fans, such as Vasili Spanos, connected to the sport throughout the summer months," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "As the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, Kia Motors is delighted to be a part of this program and reward the stylish all-new Kia Forte to a devoted basketball enthusiast."

A native of River Forest, Ill. and avid Chicago Bulls fan, Spanos qualified for the Kia Motors Performance Challenge final during NBA Nation's Chicago stop where he dribbled, passed and shot his way through the skills course in 18.8 seconds. In the final Challenge, Spanos achieved victory by completing the course in 21.6 seconds. Spanos' competition included the top Performance Challenge finalists from the seven other 2009 NBA Nation tour stops across the country, including last year's winner, Tony Gamez.

In 2009, NBA Nation presented by T-Mobile USA and Kia Motors provided more than one million fans a chance to test their basketball skills, participate in free activities and meet NBA players. The league's largest mobile basketball playground, NBA Nation traveled more than 7,000 miles, including stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago and Dallas. The tour culminated in Dallas on July 12, where winners of the Kia Motors Performance Challenge from each tour stop were flown to compete for a chance to win an all-new Kia Forte compact sedan.

On sale now in dealerships across North America, the 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan is the first of its kind to offer consumers an impressive combination of standard safety, comfort and convenience features.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased market share.

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site. For media information, including photography, visit website.

About the NBA

The NBA, founded in 1946, is a global sports and entertainment brand that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2008-09 season, NBA games reached 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league's worldwide reach was also reflected in the 77 international players from 33 countries and territories on NBA rosters. NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more than five million daily visits, with more than 50 percent of the site's visitors coming from outside of North America. Through NBA Cares, the league, its teams and players have donated more than $105 million to charity, provided more than 950,000 hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and created more than 415 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.