The NBA All-Star celebrity game throws up some interesting highlights. Whether it’s Usain Bolt dunking on an NBA court or a 17 year old five-foot-something Justin Bieber having a shot blocked by NBA legend Scottie Pippen, it’s always a fun time. Where else would you see an NBA Hall of Famer like Dominique Wilkins dunking on actor Ashton Kutcher?

With NBA All-Star weekend upon us once again, these are some of the best celebrity game players of all time, and no, NBA legends don’t qualify in this category despite taking part in the games.

When is the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game?

The 2024 NBA Celebrity All-Star game will take place on Friday 16th February at 7 PM EST in Indianapolis, Indiana

Who is playing in the 2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?

The NBA Celebrity All Star game boasts a great lineup this year, with the likes of NFL stars Micah Parsons and C.J. Stroud heading up the rosters. They’ll also feature singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, singer songwriter Adam Blackstone and streamer Kai Cenat.

Popular creator Tristan Jass will feature along with streetball entertainer Jack Ryan. Metta World Peace will play too, along with a WNBA star on each team with Jewell Lloyd and Natasha Cloud both making an appearance to represent the WNBA.

NBA Celebrity All-Star Game History

The inaugural NBA All-Star Celebrity game took place in 2003, with stars such as Jamie Foxx and Justin Timberlake debuting alongside WNBA stars such as Sue Bird, and ex NBA legends including Moses Malone, Muggsy Bogues and Manute Bol.

One notable addition to the game came in 2005, when the Celebrity Game MVP award was introduced. That year, singer-songwriter Brian McKnight was the first to claim the honor. Since then, several famous faces from various fields have gone on to win the award, including comedic actor Kevin Hart, rapper Quavo, sports star Terrell Owens, and teen sensation Justin Bieber. These celebs have all left their mark on the history of the NBA All-Star game.

Ranking the Top 10 Best NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Players of all time

  1. J. Cole

Cole is one of the best celebrity basketball players to ever feature in the game, however borders on breaking the rules of this list having turned pro twice.

The famous rapper played pro basketball for the Rwanda Patriots in Africa in 2021, and signed to play in Canada with the Scarborough Shooting Stars.

While he barely makes the list on merit, he does hold one of the celebrity games greatest highlights, dunking an alley-oop pass from Kevin Hart on a fast break in 2012.

Many of the music industry’s stars have featured in the celebrity game, but J. Cole is one of the best rapper basketball players to ever lace ‘em up at All-Star weekend.

  1. Nelly

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game of 2006 featured a star-studded roster, including celebrities like Chris Brown, Nick Cannon, and the popular musician Nelly. Though the footage of the game is now difficult to find, Nelly's stats from the event speak for themselves. He racked up a game-high 14 points and 12 rebounds, scoring his team's only two three-pointers.

Despite being on the losing side, Nelly's exceptional performance earned him the title of Celebrity MVP. His memorable showing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity 2006 Game cemented his reputation as a talented athlete as well as a musician.

  1. D.K. Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf joins the list after winning the Celebrity All Star game MVP, following his 20 point performance with 10 rebounds and a highlight reel of showstopping dunks.

If you ever wondered what this mountain of a man would look like charging into the lane and throwing down a jam, you got your answer, and it was every bit as impressive as you might have originally thought.

As Metcalf gathered momentum opposition players simply cleared a path for him, with his first dunk opening the scoring in the game. Dwyane Wade and the rest of the bench went crazy, but he had a few more in his locker to follow.

He pulled off an emphatic block, and on a breakaway in the fourth quarter threw down a two handed dunk before swinging on the rim.

D.K. ranks a little lower than his performance might suggest because technically, he’s still more athlete than celebrity. But, take nothing away from him, it was a thrill to watch.

  1. Justin Bieber

In 2011, Justin Bieber, the teen pop sensation, made his debut appearance in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where he joined the ranks of various other celebrities on the court, including fellow NBA All-star celebrity game 2011 players Chris Mullin and Scottie Pippen.

Bieber showed his passion for the game and his skills by dishing out passes and executing impressive crossovers. He even went head-to-head with basketball legend Scottie Pippen, but unfortunately, his jumper was blocked by the towering former NBA star. Despite this setback, Bieber managed to put up an impressive performance, scoring 12 points and dishing out four assists, which earned him the title of Celebrity All-Star Game MVP. He received high praise from NBA legend Chris Mullin, who was on the opposing team during the game.

Bieber returned to the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game lineup in 2018, once again showing his love for the game and his talent on the court.

  1. Jason Sudeikis

Actor Jason Sudeikis might be the best celebrity shooter we’ve ever seen at an NBA All-Star weekend. It’s uncommon in a celebrity game to see anybody hitting regular three pointers, unless your name is Jason Sudeikis.

The famous actor went 4-7 from behind the arc, with a smooth touch for a celebrity. He is undoubtedly one of the best celebrity All-Star game players we’ve ever seen. Watching him go off was phenomenal to watch.

  1. Terrell Owens

Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens would be ranked number one, but it feels like cheating considering he’s a premium athlete amongst a list of singers and actors.

Owens prides himself on being the very best on the gridiron, and he took the same approach to appearing in the NBA’s celebrity All-Star game. Owens has multiple dunks, which is pretty uncommon for the celebrity game.

T.O. is a two-time celebrity MVP, winning the award in 2008 and 2009. He scored 18 points in ‘08 and followed it up with a 17 point display in ‘09.

  1. Brian McKnight

McKnight won the very first celebrity MVP award, and it was well deserved for a dominant performance in the 2005 celebrity game.

The musician actually played semi-pro ball in the ABA, and proved his abilities when he hit the game winning shot in the 2005 game. At six-foot-four with plenty of basketball experience, McKnight looked a lot closer to a pro than the majority of individuals who play in the celebrity game.

  1. Quavo

Quavo is one of the best hoopers the celebrity game has ever seen. The Migos star made his celeb debut in 2018, scoring 19 points and winning the MVP award on the night.

He then dominated the NBA All-Star celebrity game in 2019, with 27 points in one of the best solo performances the game is likely to see. He appeared to take the game pretty seriously too, displaying some high-level basketball skills with a solid jumper and a nice stroke from behind the arc.

The Migos star has appeared in the All-Star game three times, recording some of the best All-Star celebrity game stats of any celeb to appear on the court.

  1. Kevin Hart

Always the entertainer, Kevin Hart has become the most common celebrity face at All-Star weekend. The comedian brings so much energy to the All-Star game, and despite being a hilarious five-foot-four going up against WNBA stars and former NBA legends, he actually holds his own.

Kevin Hart can play, even if he is on the Muggsy Bogues end of the hoopers height chart, and he’s won the celebrity MVP award a record four times for his efforts. The comedian became a regular feature on the celebrity NBA game roster.

Hart is regularly arguing with officials, making a nuisance of himself and thoroughly enjoys himself every time he makes an appearance.

  1. Arne Duncan

Arne Duncan, Obama's former Secretary of Education, was an unlikely but impressive addition to the NBA All-Star celebrity game. Despite being an active cabinet member, Duncan showed off his skills on the court and outshone many of the other celebrities playing alongside him, including Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, and Victoria's Secret model Erin Heatherton.

It was quite a shock to see Duncan, who was not a rapper, comedian, or actor, dominate on the court and secure the number one spot on the list of surprising celebrity basketball stars.

Duncan had played basketball at Harvard, and he dominated the NBA celebrity game 2014 stats. Duncan scored 20 points with 11 rebounds and six assists, and when Kevin Hart was named the MVP that year, he handed it over to Duncan, and the two were named CO-MVPs.

Quite simply, Arne Duncan is an NBA Celebrity All-Star game legend.

Parameters for Rankings

These celebrities have been ranked based on the most memorable performances and contribution to the NBA’s Celebrity All-Star game. Highlight plays and scoring nights have been taken into consideration, as well as any other memorable moments.

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