The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is an annual exhibition basketball game hosted by the National Basketball Association as it takes place during the NBA All-Star Weekend and features retired NBA players, WNBA players, actors, musicians and athletes from sports other than basketball.
The game was first held during the 2002–03 season as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is played on Friday in the same host city as the NBA All-Star Game." However, the game is not held in the same arena as all the other All-Star Saturday events. Instead, it is held on the NBA Jam Session's practice court.
There was no game in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2022.
In 2023, the NBA All-Star Game introduced a new format for the draft, where players selected teams live during the event instead of before the game.
Rules The game is played under modified NBA rules. Games were played in four-quarters of 8 minutes from 2003 to 2011; since 2012, the game was extended to 10 minutes a quarter (similar to FIBA, WNBA. and NCAA Women's rules). Each team is allowed one timeout per half. Timeouts don't carry over to the next half. From 2003 to 2012, the game clock does not stop while the play is not active except for timeouts, the final two minutes of the halves & overtime, or at the official's discretion. Since 2013, the clock stops during the final two minutes of every quarter except for timeouts, overtime and at the official's discretion. Overtime periods are two minutes in length with a running clock, each team is allowed one timeout during the overtime period, plus any not used in regulation. Players and/or coaches can be assessed technical fouls and could risk immediate disqualification. There was no Most Valuable Player until 2005. From 2005 to 2010, the media members in attendance voted for the MVP. Since 2011, the fans in attendance and TV viewers now vote for the MVP through text messaging and social media. The game did not use the shot clock rule put into place during the 2011–12 season in which the last five seconds of the shot clock were modified to include tenths of a second from 2012 to 2014; the rule was put in effect since 2015. However, the shot clock did not use tenths in the final five seconds until during the second half of the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. In 2018, there is a 4-point decal located 2 feet from the top of the 3-point line which will be active during the second half of the game. To score four points, a player's foot must be touching any part of a decal. Since 2019, the 4-point decal has become a 4-point line set a yard behind the 3-point line and the line is in use for the entire game. A player's foot must be behind the 4-point line to score four points.
Most Valuable Player
Year Winner2003–2004 2005 Brian McKnight 2006 Nelly 2007 Tony Potts 2008 Terrell Owens (1) 2009 Terrell Owens (2) 2010 Michael Rapaport 2011 Justin Bieber 2012 Kevin Hart (1) 2013 Kevin Hart (2) 2014 Kevin Hart (3), Arne Duncan (1) 2015 Kevin Hart (4) 2016 Win Butler 2017 Brandon Armstrong 2018Quavo 2019 Famous Los 2020 Common 2021 2022 Alex Toussaint 2023 DK Metcalf2024Micah Parsons2025Rome Flynn2026Rome Flynn (2)
Multi-time winners RankPlayerTimes leaderYears1Kevin Hart 4 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 2Terrell Owens 2 2008, 2009Rome Flynn 2025, 2026
2000s 2003 The inaugural NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 7, 2003, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Jamie Foxx highlighted this NBA All-Star Celebrity game playing alongside WNBA players, NBA legends, and other celebrities. Former NBA players and current Inside the NBA analysts Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley were the opposing coaches. Kenny Smith and the Jets wound up winning in a tight-knit game 46–43.
+ Sir Charles and the Court JestersPlayer Background Mark McGrath Singer Ice Cube Actor/Rapper Nelly Rapper/Producer Tim McGraw Singer Ticha Penicheiro WNBA player Moses Malone NBA legend Nikki McCray WNBA player Spud Webb NBA legend Head coach: Charles Barkley (NBA legend/TNT analyst/TV personality)
+ Kenny Smith and the JetsPlayer Background Justin Timberlake Singer/Actor Jamie Foxx Singer/Actor Roger Lodge Actor/TV host Rebecca Lobo WNBA player Sue Bird WNBA player Jonathan Lipnicki Actor Manute Bol NBA legend Anthony Anderson Actor Muggsy Bogues NBA legend Brian McKnight Singer Head coach: Kenny Smith (NBA Legend/TNT analyst)
2004 The 2004 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.
The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game featured celebrities from Paris Hilton to Bill Walton. Although Richard Jefferson of the Lakers led all scorers with 16 points, the Lakers would lose to the Braves 60–52.
+ Buffalo BravesPlayer Background Sue Bird (2) WNBA player Nick Carter Singer/actor Tom Cavanagh Actor Morris Chestnut Actor DJ Clue DJ Donald Faison Actor Mark Jackson NBA player Roger Lodge (2) Blind Date host Cuttino Mobley NBA Player Nelly (2) Rapper Henry Simmons Actor James Lafferty Actor Head coach: P Diddy (Rapper) Assistant coach: Paris Hilton (Socialite/actress) general manager: Greg Anthony (ESPN analyst)
+ Minneapolis LakersPlayer Background Bill Bellamy Actor/comedian Nick Cannon Actor/singer Kevin Hart Actor/comedian Steve Howey Actor Richard Jefferson NBA Player Mark McGrath (2) Singer/Extra host Frankie Muniz Actor Sean Paul Reggae artist Michael Rapaport Actor Nikki Teasley WNBA player Head coach: Ashton Kutcher (Actor) Assistant coach: Lisa Leslie (WNBA player) general manager: Bill Walton (ESPN analyst)
2005 The 2005 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game sponsored by Sprite was played on Friday, February 18, 2005, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
Rapper Nelly, pop rock singer Ryan Cabrera, rapper/actor Ice Cube, and actor Danny Masterson were among some of the celebrities who participated. After playing the first half with the Nuggets, Entertainment Tonight correspondent Kevin Frazier played the second half with Team Denver. R&B Singer Brian McKnight scored the game winning basket as he threw in an off-balance shot that sailed in while getting the foul call with 9.9 seconds in the fourth quarter, and he was named the first ever MVP of the NBA All-Star Celebrity game.
+ Team DenverPlayer Background DJ Clue (2) Rapper Jermaine Dupri Rapper Becky Hammon WNBA player Lisa Leslie WNBA player Roger Lodge (3) Blind Date host Danny Masterson Actor Mark McGrath (3) Singer/Extra host Wilmer Valderrama Actor Head coach: Andre Miller (NBA player) Assistant coach: Vivica A. Fox (actress) general manager: Greg Anthony (ESPN analyst)
+ Team NuggetsPlayer Background Ryan Cabrera Singer Donald Faison (2) Actor Kevin Frazier Entertainment Tonight correspondent Eric Koston Professional skateboarder Brian McKnight (2) Singer Nelly (3) Rapper Nykesha Sales WNBA player Diana Taurasi WNBA player Head coach: Earl Boykins (NBA player) Assistant coach: Gabrielle Union (actress) General manager: Stephen A. Smith (ESPN analyst)
2006 The 2006 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 17, 2006, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
Nelly was named MVP with a game-high 14 points and 12 rebounds and hit H-Town's only two three-pointers in a losing effort as the Clutch City Team beat the H-Town Team 37–33.
+ H-Town TeamPlayer Background Carlos Bernard Actor Chris Brown Singer Nick Cannon (2) Actor/singer Becky Hammon (2) WNBA player Nelly (4) Singer/actor Tony Potts Access Hollywood correspondent Brandon Routh Actor Coach: Eva Longoria (actress) General manager: Stephen A. Smith (ESPN analyst)
+ Clutch City TeamPlayer Background Bow Wow Hip-hop artist/actor Swin Cash WNBA player Ice Cube (2) Rapper/actor Donald Faison (3) Actor Andrew Firestone ABC's The Bachelor (Season 3) Kevin Frazier (2) Entertainment Tonight correspondent Chris Meloni Actor Head coach: Queen Latifah (singer/actress) General manager: Greg Anthony (ESPN analyst)
2007 The 2007 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 16, 2007, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester, Nevada. Jamie Foxx was scheduled to play but did not play to perform at a concert later that night. Donald Faison started for the East but was traded to the West team in exchange for no one during the second quarter. During the third quarter New Orleans Saints running back and West player Reggie Bush slightly sprained his right ankle and did not play the rest of the game. However, Access Hollywood correspondent and fellow West teammate Tony Potts scored 14 points and eight rebounds for the West team as he helped the West beat the East 40–21 and was named the game's MVP. During the game, Jazz Bear, the mascot of the Utah Jazz, ESPN reporter Jim Gray, and former NBA player Jerome Williams played a few minutes in the game.
+ EastPlayer Background David Arquette Actor Michael Clarke Duncan Actor Taye Diggs Actor Donald Faison (4) Actor Bobby Flay TV chef Jamie Kennedy Actor/comedian Nelly (5) Hip-hop artist/actor Katie Smith WNBA player LaDainian Tomlinson NFL player Carrot Top Comedian Chris Tucker Actor/comedian Head coach: Tim Legler (ESPN analyst) Assistant coach: James Pickens Jr. (actor)
+ WestPlayer Background Bow Wow (2) Hip-hop artist/actor Reggie Bush NFL player Nick Cannon (3) Actor/comedian Tamika Catchings WNBA player James Denton Actor Jamie Foxx (2) Actor/comedian/singer Tony Potts (2) Access Hollywood correspondent Jonathan Silverman Actor Head coach: Greg Anthony (ESPN analyst) Assistant coach: Wayne Newton (singer/actor)
2008 The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 15, 2008, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. A total of 17 celebrities took part in the game. The game was marked by a surprise appearance by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens in the middle of the second quarter, where he joined and played with the New Orleans team. Owens scored 18 points including a dunk. He was named MVP of the game after helping his team win 51–50. ESPN analyst Ric Bucher was the commissioner for the game.
+ Team New OrleansPlayer Background A. J. Calloway Extra correspondent Seth Gilliam Actor Zach Gilford Actor Taylor Hicks Singer/2006 American Idol winner James Lafferty Actor Ne-Yo Singer/actor Terrell Owens NFL player Master P Hip-hop artist Ruth Riley WNBA player Coach: Gabrielle Union (actress) General manager: Stephen A. Smith (ESPN analyst)
+ Team HornetsPlayer Background Swin Cash (2) WNBA player Common Rapper/actor Terry Crews Actor James Kyson Lee Actor Floyd Mayweather Boxer Tony Potts (3) Access Hollywood correspondent Chris Tucker (2) Actor/comedian Deion Sanders NFL legend Coach: Alyssa Milano (actress) General manager: Bill Walton (NBA legend/ESPN analyst)
2009 The 2009 McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 13, 2009, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. A total of 17 celebrities took part in the game. Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Julius Erving, who combined for 23 NBA All-Star appearances, served as coaches for the celebrity teams. NBA legends, Dominique Wilkins and Clyde Drexler, were joined by former players, Dan Majerle and Rick Fox, in the celebrity team roster. WNBA stars Lisa Leslie and Kara Lawson also participated in the game along with four Harlem Globetrotters players.