NEW YORK (NBA) -
Music superstar Nelly, singer Ryan Cabrera, multi-talented performer Ice Cube, star of the box office hit "Are We There Yet," along with TV stars
Danny Masterson of "That '70s Show" and Donald Faison of "Scrubs" will join NBA and WNBA players for the McDonald's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Sprite as part of NBA All-Star 2005 in Denver. The game will be televised live on ESPN on Friday, February 18 at 7:00 pm (ET) from NBA All-Star Jam Session. Halftime of the game will feature a special musical performance by 18-year-old R&B sensation Ciara.
Other celebrity participants include Sugar Ray front man and host of "Extra" Mark McGrath, music producer, artist and record executive Jermaine Dupri, Grammy Award-winning artist Brian McKnight, professional skateboarder Eric Koston, "Entertainment Tonight" weekend anchor and correspondent Kevin Frazier, "Blind Date" host Rodger Lodge, along with WNBA players Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Becky Hammon and Nykesha Sales.
NBA players Andre Miller and Earl Boykins will serve as the team's head coaches. ESPN studio analysts Greg Anthony and Stephen A. Smith will act as General Managers.
ESPN's commentator lineup of Stuart Scott, Mark Jones, Tim Legler, Tom Tolbert, Bill Walton and Jim Gray will contribute to the telecast.
Reebok, the exclusive uniform supplier of the NBA, will introduce a new line of NBA swingman jerseys as they outfit the celebrities for the game. The home team will wear white "Denver" jerseys while the away team will wear light blue "Nuggets" jerseys with the team letters featuring an argyle design. The argyle jerseys are part of Reebok's exclusive edition collection and will only be available at the NBA Store at NBA All-Star Jam Session, the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City and select Finish Line locations. Title sponsor McDonald's and presenting sponsor Sprite will also participate in a number of NBA All-Star activities throughout the weekend.
McDonald's is the Official Quick Service Restaurant of the NBA and will have a restaurant on-site at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Nokia, as well as being presenting sponsor of the Mascot Slam Dunk to be held Saturday, February 19 at Jam Session.
Sprite is the title sponsor of the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk, which will take place as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. This year's Slam Dunk will include Sprite's Write-In Thirst Campaign, through which one of four lucky winners will have the chance to collect $25,000. Sprite is also the co-presenting sponsor of Club NBA, the NBA's live music stage at Jam Session.
NBA All-Star 2005 in Denver will feature a week of activities that will showcase the greatest athletes in the world playing basketball at the highest level on an international stage and will display the league's deep commitment to its community. The week will culminate with the 2005 NBA All-Star Game, which features the top players from the Eastern and Western conferences going head to head. The Game will be televised on TNT on Sunday, February 20 at 8:00 p.m. (ET).
