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The 2023 Jordan Rising Star participates in NBA Cares Day of Service, part of the NBA’s commitment to social impact during All-Star Weekend.
It’s been 30 years since the last NBA All-Star Game was held in Salt Lake City. A lot has changed since 1993 – from the city hosting this year’s festivities, to the games themselves, to the players who will be in focus over the weekend.
In fact, of this year’s 27 All-Stars — 24 selected by fans, media, players and coaches, and three injured backups selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver — at the last Utah State When the NBA midseason celebrations were held, only 8 were still alive. game.
The NBA All-Star return to Salt Lake City not only brings some of the best basketball players on the planet to Utah’s capital city, but also exemplifies the NBA’s commitment to uniting communities through service, philanthropy and the game of basketball.This weekend is not only about showcasing the game with great games and variety, but also making an impact on the host city long after Sunday’s 72nd The NBA All-Star Game is over.
NBA’s social impact efforts at All-Star Game will focus on youth, education, food insecurity and economic inclusion, while continuing league efforts to create more opportunities for students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) . Collectively, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association will contribute more than $3 million to the state of Utah and the HBCU community.
Youth and Education
The work actually started long before this year’s All-Stars headed to Salt Lake City. As part of the NBA’s Legacy Project, the NBA partnered with State Farm to renovate a STEM education space and improve the school’s gymnasium at Lincoln Elementary School in South Salt Lake City. It was completed and opened on Thursday, February 16th. The STEM space includes new technology and books for the kids, while the gym renovation includes new basketball hoops, equipment, lighting and flooring.
“When you say legacy, it’s what it is, it leaves a blueprint and it’s going to have an impact on future generations,” said Milton Collins, principal of Lincoln Primary School. “So as long as the school stays open, it’s going to have a positive impact, Just upgrading the STEM labs and of course the gym.”
A focus on uplifting local children through the game of basketball is at the heart of the NBA’s efforts throughout the NBA All-Star Game. Friday marks the sixth annual Jr. NBA Day as Jr. NBA hosts up to 1,500 local youth across six school districts as members of the NBA family — including current and former NBA and WNBA players — will participate in focused For teaching fundamentals and the value of play.
The NBA will also continue its long-term partnership with Make-A-Wish America to fulfill five wishes for families in the greater Utah community at the NBA All-Star Game.
“At Make-A-Wish, we really rely on partners like the NBA to directly fulfill our mission, and our wish kids are basketball’s biggest fans because when there is an option to make a wish, they ask to be in the All-Star Game. on,” said Shaina Reeser, director of entertainment and sports relations at Make A Wish.
“What we do know is that for children who are battling critical illness in so many ways, one wish is very powerful. It can give them the strength they need to fight, it can provide hope, and a true vision of the future , they know they have something to strive for, to be better, to grow. And the journey of aspirations that the NBA family participated in really brought them back to their childhood. Every kid should have a childhood.”
Reeser recalls an incredible wish-making success story when a kid named Austin wanted to play his saxophone at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Not only did he play “Lovely Day” at the All-Star Game, but he recovered from his illness and is now living a healthy, thriving life as a professional saxophonist.
food insecurity
Friday also marks the 15day NBA All-Star Service Day is a tradition that began in New Orleans in 2008, as the city was recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Food safety is the focus of this year’s Utah Day of Service, as the NBA partners with the Utah Food Bank, Volunteers of America and Bishop Central to provide critical resources to those in need in the Utah community. More than 500 volunteers, including current and former players, business partners and guests, will be involved in projects such as sorting and repackaging food donations for distribution to those in need, as well as packaging donations to support low-income students and families.
“The two most important tools we have in the fight against hunger are education and awareness,” said Ginette Bott, President and CEO of Utah Food Bank.
“By being able to come to our facility with the expertise and professionalism of the NBA, we know people will notice backstage that this is an organization that is ready to help. The focus will be on the NBA and those who will be here to enjoy the weekend …but for a moment, we’re going to have the ability to be in front of people and hopefully give them a chance to stop and think about the mission. Think about what we’re doing. Remember, at the end of this unbelievably great weekend, we Still doing it here.”
Each of the NBA All-Star Day of Service partners helps their community in a different way. Bott discusses Utah Food Bank’s focus on the “nutritional side of hunger” and how they distribute healthy food options to families in need, especially those with young children who are still growing.
For Dan Benshoff, chief development officer at Volunteers of America in Utah, the focus is more on the homeless population. “Our three focus areas are homelessness, drug rehabilitation services and mental or behavioral health services,” he said. “Our mission is to serve people in our community facing one or all of these situations.”
Bishop’s Central Storehouse is a large storage facility that helps The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reach as many families as possible throughout Salt Lake City and the greater Utah community.
“The church is trying to work with different community agencies, food banks, around helping people, helping families eat healthy food, regardless of their circumstances,” said Sharon Eubank, director of humanitarians at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ) said Risheng. “So this project is really exciting. It benefits everyone in the community who can give and receive, and allows us to have the NBA help with that, which brings a lot of fun and excitement to it.”
Diversity and Inclusion
On Wednesday, February 15, members of the NBA family — including former NBA player and LGBTQ+ advocate Jason Collins and former WNBA player and NBA Senior Vice President of Player Development Jameela Wideman — visited Encircle and Youth members of the Utah Pride Center as part of an alliance dedicated to celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think having an NBA partner in the circle is a milestone for us,” said Jordan Sgro, Encircle’s interim executive director. “First, because it shows the LGBTQ youth we serve that the NBA is also in their corner. A really powerful and impactful message that there are big corporations as powerful as the NBA saying, ‘Hey, we see you, you’re valid, you’re good enough, and we’ll always have your back.’ That’s really It’s important. The NBA is giving Encircle a microphone to share what we do so that more and more people know who we are and what we do. I mean, it’s really important to us. “
In addition to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, the NBA continued its commitment to elevating diverse businesses through a series of local events during All-Star Weekend.
A highlight of this effort will be the NBA Foundation Pitch Competition on Thursday, February 16, as the Foundation, in partnership with the National Black MBA Association, will host a live pitch competition highlighting emerging and existing players in the Salt Lake City community and beyond black entrepreneurs. The eight entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to network and receive feedback from influential business leaders within the NBA family, as well as secure funding opportunities for their ventures.
HBCU support
Gramblin eventually won with a score of 69-64.
The NBA also continued to support the HBCU this All-Star Weekend, an effort highlighted by the second annual NBA HBCU Classic on Saturday, February 18. The men’s basketball teams from Grambling State University and Southern University met on-air. Grambling State won 69-64 on TNT, ESPN2 and NBA TV.
NBA legends Willis Reid (Grambling 1960-64) and Bob Love (Southern 1961-65) serve as captains emeritus for this year’s NBA HBCU Classic.
“Grambling State is very competitive with Southern and tends to get more attention during the annual Bayou Classic football season, but it’s just as competitive during basketball season,” Reed said. “As a Grambling State alumnus, I’m confident the Tigers will come out on top because that’s what we did! I’m looking forward to the game against our rival Southern University, and I’m looking forward to bragging to Bob Love after the game.”
Both Redd and Love are excited that today’s players and their respective alma maters will be able to experience NBA All-Star Weekend and take advantage of this unique opportunity.
“The NBA platform is huge, and the exposure that both universities get is very beneficial to both institutions,” Reid said. “Student-athletes have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the field and learn about career opportunities across the league.”
“It’s very important, it’s going to give all the young players a chance to be seen by all the general managers and coaches in the country; they’ll get to meet all the All-Stars, they’ll find out what it takes to be an All-Star,” Love said. “It’s been a great experience for all the players. I wish I had that experience when I first came in. I’m going to love it.”
In addition to the return of the NBA HBCU Classic for a second year, the HBCU Internship Program for the NBA All-Star Game will also return for a second year, as 13 HBCU students will serve as NBA interns throughout the weekend. Students will gain invaluable experience and the opportunity to learn behind-the-scenes at the NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City through a variety of roles across the League Office as they work together to promote this spectacular event.
all star game charity
The climax of NBA All-Star Weekend was the clash between Team LeBron and Team Giannis.
Weekend culminates in 72nd Team LeBron will face Team Giannis in Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. Not only are bragging rights up in the air, but each team will represent a local youth and family service organization with a $750,000 donation, determined by the results of each quarter and the eventual winner of the game.
Team Giannis is playing for Raise the Future, an organization dedicated to providing foster children with a loving home and providing resources to adoptive families. Team LeBron is playing for Utah’s Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization dedicated to building positive mentoring relationships with local youth.You can read more about the efforts of both organizations here.
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