NBA Celebrity All-Star Game 2023: Rosters, Final Score and MVP Predictions
The NBA's top stars will be putting on a show this weekend in Salt Lake City, when this year's All-Star Game gets underway on Sunday night. And prior to that, there will be events such as the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest and more leading up to it.
Before any of that, though, a host of celebrities will be hitting the hardwood. On Friday night, NBA All-Star Weekend opens with the All-Star Celebrity Game. It's always entertaining to see which non-basketball players can put on a strong performance when given the opportunity.
There are a few first-time participants set to compete in the 2023 edition of the event. The teams have been divided into a pair of 11-person squads, with Utah Jazz governor Ryan Smith and former NBA star Dwyane Wade serving as the captains.
Here's everything you need to know heading into Friday's All-Star Celebrity Game.
All-Star Celebrity Game Information
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Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Site: Jon M. Huntsman Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN app
Rosters
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Team Ryan
Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz governor/honorary captain
Kane Brown, singer
Cordae, rapper
Diamond DeShields, WNBA player
Calvin Johnson, former NFL player
Marcos Mion, TV host
The Miz, WWE Superstar
Albert Pujols, former MLB player
Everett Osborne, actor
Ozuna, rapper
Guillermo Rodriguez, Jimmy Kimmel Live correspondent
Sinqua Walls, actor
Team Dwyane
Dwyane Wade, former NBA player/Utah Jazz minority owner/honorary captain
Nicky Jam, singer/actor
Jesser, content creator
Simu Liu, actor
Hasan Minhaj, comedian
DK Metcalf, NFL player
Janelle Monáe, singer/actress
Arike Ogunbowale, WNBA player
21 Savage, rapper
Ranveer Singh, actor
Frances Tiafoe, tennis player
Alex Toussaint, Peloton coach/Puma athlete
Preview, Predictions
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Only two people have been named MVP of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in consecutive years. Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens received the honor in 2008 and 2009, and comedian Kevin Hart won four straight MVP Awards from 2012-15.
This year, Alex Toussaint will look to join that club. The 30-year-old Peloton instructor had an impressive showing in the 2022 edition of this event, scoring 18 points while leading a Bill Walton-captained team to a 65-51 win over Dominique Wilkins' squad.
The fitness instructor should fare well again this year. After all, he's been practicing for the event, based on a recent post on his Instagram.
On Friday, he will be playing for Team Dwyane alongside some strong teammates.
Among the other members of the squad are comedian Hasan Minhaj and actor Ranveer Singh. They both have experience of the event, with the former playing in the game for the third time and the latter making his second appearance.
It will also be intriguing to see how Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf fares. The 6'4" NFL star will likely be a force in the post and could be difficult for Team Ryan players to stop.
Jesser could be a sleeper player for Team Dwyane. The content creator with more than 11 million subscribers on YouTube has solid shooting skills, as viewers of his channel will know.
There are some talented players on the Team Ryan roster, such as WNBA All-Star Diamond DeShields and former NFL wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
However, it seems Team Dwyane has the edge on paper. Expect it to come out on top in this year's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, with Toussaint again leading the way.
He showed last year that he'll put effort into the contest, and he clearly has enough basketball talent to record an impressive stat line.
Predictions: Team Dwyane wins 62-48; Alex Toussaint named MVP.
