NBA ALL-STAR
Former Jazz Players Carlos Boozer and Richard Jefferson Sub Into Celebrity Game
SALT LAKE CITY – In the third quarter of the NBA All-Star Celebrity game, Richard Jefferson and Carlos Boozer took off their street clothes to suit up for action.
Boozer played for the Jazz for 6 seasons and was named an all-star twice in that span.
2-time #NBAAllStar Carlos Boozer is joining Team Dwyane for the second half ‼️#RufflesCelebGame | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WQmEBbcCtl
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
Boozer showed he still has some spring in his legs with a nasty block on Guillermo.
Carlos Boozer playing lockdown defense on Guillermo in the paint 💪#RufflesCelebGame | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/uf3JZB2akC
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 18, 2023
Jefferson was in a Utah jersey for one year in 2013-2014. He made an instant impact as well, throwing down a strong dunk.
Richard Jefferson drives in for the jam 💥
Team Ryan leads in Q3 on ESPN!#RufflesCelebGame | @RUFFLES pic.twitter.com/pTKGXVU4LQ
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 18, 2023
Carlos Boozer Checks In Celebrity Game
The annual celebrity game is one of the top events for NBA All-Star weekend.
We’ve finally got the rosters that will line up on Friday, February 17, as part of the All-Star festivities here in Salt Lake City. The first thing that pops off the page is the two head coaches.
🌟 The 2023 #RufflesCelebGame rosters! 🌟#RufflesCelebGame: Friday, Feb. 17 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/v3MVQ7WP2q
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023
Utah Jazz Governor Ryan Smith will be one of the coaches, along with minority owner Dwyane Wade.
Smith was asked on the KSL Sports Zone last month if he would play in the celebrity game. He shot down any idea of that, but he’s going to lead “Team Ryan,” which includes singer Kane Brown and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. Johnson attended the Jazz home game against the Toronto Raptors on February 1.
Wade’s squad, affectionately called “Team Dwyane,” includes Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, rapper 21 Savage, and YouTuber Jesser.
Tip-off for the 2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is at 5 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN. The game is taking place at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah.
2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Rosters
Team Dwyane
- Nicky Jam (Singer)
- Jesser (YouTuber)
- Simu Liu (Actor)
- DK Metcalf (NFL wide receiver)
- Hasan Minhaj (Comedian)
- Janelle Monáe (Singer)
- Arike Ogunbowale (WNBA star)
- 21 Savage (Rapper)
- Ranveer Singh (Actor)
- Frances Tiafoe (Tennis player)
- Alex Toussaint (Peloton instructor)
Team Ryan
- Kane Brown (Singer)
- Cordae (Rapper)
- Diamond Deshields (WNBA star)
- Calvin Johnson (NFL Hall of Famer)
- Marcos Mion (Actor)
- The Miz (Wrestler)
- Everett Osborne (Actor)
- Ozuna (Singer)
- Albert Pujols (Former MLB star)
- Guillermo Rodriguez (Talk-show host)
- Sinqua Walls (Actor)
NBA All-Star Weekend
All-Star weekend has been a part of NBA tradition for decades. The first ever All-Star game was held in 1951 in Boston.
The game was always an East vs. West affair until 2018. The NBA changed the format to have two captains lead the two teams. The leading vote-getter from each conference becomes the captain of a squad and eventually drafts their team from the pool of 24 players.
The weekend consists of three days, with key events held on each day. Each day is more exciting than the last, leading up to the All-Star game on the third day.
All-Star weekend has brought iconic NBA moments and memories to basketball fans for over 70 years. This year, Salt Lake City gets to be the host.
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
