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Daytime talk show host Jennifer Hudson, winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony trophies, will sing during halftime of the Feb. 18 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
Hudson also will participate in the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Indianapolis native Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Feb. 16 celebrity game at Lucas Oil Stadium will feature former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, former Indiana Pacers player Metta World Peace, IndyCar driver Conor Daly and ESPN host Pat McAfee as local connections.
Manning will serve as a coach for the celebrity team designated as “Team Shannon” led by ESPN “First Take” co-host Shannon Sharpe. Daly will take the court as one of 10 Team Shannon players.
Metta World Peace, known as Ron Artest during his playing days with the Pacers, and ‘Dreamgirls” star Hudson are members of “Team Stephen A.” led by “First Take” co-host Stephen A. Smith.
McAfee will make a guest appearance during ESPN’s telecast of the celebrity game.
Rappers 50 Cent and Lil Wayne will serve as celebrity game coaches, with 50 Cent aligned with Sharpe’s squad and Lil Wayne aligned with Smith’s. On Feb. 18, Lil Wayne will headline the NBA All-Star Game Pregame Concert at the Indiana Convention Center.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is a member of Sharpe’s roster, while Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is part of Smith’s team.
Edmonds and Hudson will be joined at the NBA All-Star Game by Charlotte Cardin, who will sing the Canadian national anthem.
On Sunday, North Central High School and Indiana University alum Edmonds was awarded his 13th Grammy. Edmonds co-wrote “Snooze,” a song recorded by SZA and winner in the category of best R&B song.
The NBA also announced that Coco Jones will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the Feb. 17 HBCU game presented by the NBA at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Virginia Union University and Winston Salem State University will battle in the third annual edition of this college basketball game.
Here’s the full list of participants in the celebrity game at Lucas Oil Stadium:
Team Shannon
Coaches: Shannon Sharpe, Peyton Manning and 50 Cent
Players
- Anuel AA, rapper-singer
- Kai Cenat, YouTube personality
- Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
- Walker Hayes, country musician who’s performing Feb. 17 as part of the NBA Experiences Saturday Pregame Concert
- Quincy Isaiah, actor who portrayed Magic Johnson in HBO series “Winning Time”
- Jewel Lloyd, Seattle Storm guard
- Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys linebacker
- Lilly Singh, comedian
- Sir, R&B singer
- Dylan Wang, actor
Team Stephen A.
Coaches: Stephen A. Smith, Lil Wayne and two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson
Players
- Adam Blackstone, musician
- Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury guard
- Jennifer Hudson, host of “The Jennifer Hudson Show”
- Tristan Jass, YouTube personality
- AJ McLean, Backstreet Boys singer
- Kwame Onwauchi, chef and restaurant owner
- Jack Ryan, “HoopWizard” basketball entertainer
- CJ Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback
- Gianmarco Tamberi, Olympic high jump champion
- Metta World Peace, Indiana Pacer for five seasons
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Just saw that nosebleed tix’s are over $1700. I guess only the “beautiful people” can attend. I’d love to take my grandson who is 9 years old and memorized so many stats on NBA players. He loves all things basketball and can’t understand why he can’t go to the game.
Take him to a Pacers game. Even with recent success, they are still one of the best values in the NBA.
Or if you are focused on All-Star, look at the Rising Stars game. Some fun young guys and the tix are a lot more reasonable.
Thanks … he adores the Pacers and has attended those. I’ll check out the Rising Stars game .. had no idea and I’m sure he will love it. Thanks again. It’s hard to disappoint a grandbuddy!