As Indianapolis readies itself for the much-anticipated NBA All-Star Weekend, attendees and fans worldwide can anticipate more than mere basketball excellence.
The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, a highlight of the weekend, is set to feature a star-studded array of talent from diverse sectors, poised to demonstrate their basketball abilities. This year’s match pits Team Shannon, under the guidance of sports commentators Shannon Sharpe and Peyton Manning, along with celebrated musician 50 Cent, against Team Stephen A., managed by analyst Stephen A. Smith, artist Lil Wayne, and WNBA champion A’ja Wilson.
The participant roster includes a rich mix of talents from the NFL, WNBA, music industry, acting world, and digital content creation. Noteworthy among them are EGOT laureate Jennifer Hudson, NFL luminaries Micah Parsons and CJ Stroud, music nominees AJ McLean and SiR, actors Dylan Wang and Quincy Isaiah, and influencers Tristan Jass and Kai Cenat. Including WNBA professionals Jewell Loyd and Natasha Cloud further enhances the game’s competitive edge.
The event will also see participation from former NBA All-Star Metta World Peace and Olympic medalist Gianmarco Tamberi, with Latin Grammy winner Anuel AA and Emmy recipient Lilly Singh adding to the event’s allure.
Several players, notably NFL’s Micah Parsons and CJ Stroud, bring basketball experience from their high school days, promising an engaging contest. The game, available exclusively on ESPN and its app, will feature Cassidy Hubbarth as host and Ryan Ruocco for play-by-play commentary. Adding an LED court and the Ruffles® Flamin’ Hot Challenge promises to deliver an innovative and captivating experience for viewers.