NBA UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART LED COURT FOR ALL-STAR 2024 EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM
The NBA today unveiled the state-of-the-art full video LED court, developed by ASB GlassFloor, that will be used for NBA All-Star 2024 events taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium, which includes the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (Feb. 16) and State Farm® All-Star Saturday Night (Feb. 17), consisting of the Kia Skills Challenge, the STARRY® 3-Point Contest, “Stephen vs. Sabrina,” the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk.
Click HERE to view the NBA All-Star 2024 LED Court
The high-performance, immersive sports floor is designed to enhance the fan experience in-arena and on broadcast through its interactive displays. During each event, visual effects displayed on the court will include the following:
- Design and color changes
- Live replays and other video content
- Real-time game stats
- Location-based player tracking animations
- Interactive games for fans during timeouts
- Immersive animations following key plays and moments
Additional previews of the LED court will be shared across the league’s social channels in the coming weeks ahead of NBA All-Star 2024.
Lucas Oil Stadium will be home to the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 16, airing at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 17 airing at 8 p.m. ET on TNT in the United States and reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
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About NBA All-Star 2024
NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis, hosted in conjunction with the Indiana Pacers, will bring together the most talented and passionate players for a global celebration of the league. The 73rd NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home to the Pacers, at 8 p.m. ET. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 22nd consecutive year, marking TNT Sports’ 39th year of NBA All-Star coverage. Gainbridge Fieldhouse will also host Panini Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 16. Lucas Oil Stadium will be home to the Ruffles All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 16 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 17.
2024 NBA HBCU CLASSIC TO BE PRESENTED BY AT&T
– NBA HBCU Classic Partners Include AT&T, Foot Locker, Google Pixel, STARRY and Under Armour –
– NBA to Host Weekend of HBCU Celebrations and Entertainment –
NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2024 – AT&T will be the presenting partner of the NBA HBCU Classic for the third consecutive year the NBA announced today. Classic participants Virginia Union University (VUU) and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) each will receive $100,000 from the NBA and AT&T as part of their ongoing commitment and support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Foot Locker, Google Pixel, STARRY and Under Armour will serve as associate partners of the HBCU Classic. Additionally, HBCUs will be showcased throughout the weekend through various activations and celebrations.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, coverage of the 2024 NBA HBCU Classic Presented by AT&T will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET and be simulcast on TNT, NBA TV and ESPN2, with Grant Hill, Chris Haynes and Brian Custer serving as the on-air broadcast team. ESPN hosts and HBCU alumni Stephen A. Smith (WSSU) and Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State University) will appear on telecast to discuss their HBCU experiences. SiriusXM NBA Radio will also carry an original broadcast of the game featuring play-by-play announcer Jason Jackson. As an associate partner of the NBA HBCU Classic, Under Armour will outfit both universities in custom HBCU jerseys and sneakers from its Black History Month collection.
Also taking place during NBA All-Star 2024 will be additional opportunities for the student athletes and a broader range of HBCU students focused on professional development. Other HBCU student activities and partner activations includes:
AT&T HBCU Career Development Session
In partnership with AT&T, the NBA and NBA Foundation will host a career development session for students from Winston-Salem State University, Virginia Union University, local HBCUs and AT&T Rising Future Makers. Featured guests will include NBA and AT&T executives, corporate partners and NBA staff from various departments.
NBA HBCU Classic Pep Rally at Google Pixel Combine
The Winston-Salem State University ‘Red Sea of Sound’ and Virginia Union University ‘Ambassadors of Sound’ marching bands, and each university’s cheer teams, will perform at a pep rally that’s open to fans and hosted by Google in its interactive Pixel Combine experience at Crane Bay Event Center.
NBA HBCU Classic Pre-Game Celebration
As an associate partner of the NBA HBCU Classic, STARRY will host an NBA HBCU Classic Pre-Game Celebration for fans to attend in anticipation of the Classic matchup. The brand will bring some of its NBA All-Star activations to fans with STARRY Fizz Fest, featuring hoops competitions, prizes and more. The experience will also feature DJs, Black fraternity and sorority performances, educational resources from HBCU organizations and a voter engagement activation from the NBA’s civic engagement partner, Vote.org.
NBA All-Star x HBCU Student Art Design Showcase
The NBA’s Creative Services group will host the 4th annual Student Art showcase, which aims to inspire the next generation of emerging artists and designers by providing them with mentorship, career opportunities, and increased visibility. The showcase will select six artists whose art will be featured throughout All-Star venues.
All-Star HBCU Event Intern Program
For the third year, the NBA will identify 11 HBCU students from across the country to serve as Event Interns for multiple departments within the league office while receiving hands-on career development training. The students will have the opportunity to see behind the scenes of NBA All-Star 2024 and serve in a variety of roles across various NBA league office departments.
The Virginia Union University Panthers and Winston-Salem State Rams men’s basketball programs faced off earlier this season on Nov. 19 in the Chris Paul Classic. Tickets for the 2024 NBA HBCU Classic are currently available online at https://nbaevents.nba.com/hbcu and through the NBA Events App.
The reserves for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game were announced tonight on TNT. Below are the complete team rosters for the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS AND PHILADELPHIA 76ERS FINED
NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2024 – The NBA today announced the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers have each been fined for violating league injury reporting rules.
The Pelicans have been fined $25,000 for failing to include Trey Murphy III on the team’s injury report for the team’s game on Saturday, Jan. 27 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 76ers have been fined $75,000 for failing to include Joel Embiid on the team’s injury report in an accurate and timely manner for the team’s game on Saturday, Jan. 27 against the Denver Nuggets. The fine takes into account Philadelphia’s prior history of fines for violating injury reporting rules. The league review concluded that there was no violation of the Player Participation Policy because Embiid’s absence was due to a confirmed injury.
NBA DRAFT 2024 PRESENTED BY STATE FARM EXPANDS TO TWO NIGHTS
– First Round (June 26) and Second Round (June 27) to Air in Primetime on ESPN Platforms –
NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that the NBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm will expand to a two-night format that features the first round on Wednesday, June 26 and the second round on Thursday, June 27.
The first round will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., home of the Brooklyn Nets. The second round will take place at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.
ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App will each air the first round, and ESPN and the ESPN App will broadcast the second round. Coverage on both nights will begin at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN’s presentation of the second round will include a comprehensive review of the first round and in-depth storytelling about the draftees. ESPN Radio will also provide national coverage of the NBA Draft.
The first round will continue to have five minutes between draft picks. For the second round, the time between draft picks will increase to four minutes from two minutes.
“Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round,” said Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. “Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”
TIMBERWOLVES’ ANTHONY EDWARDS FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2024 – Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $40,000 for repeatedly publicly criticizing the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Edwards made his comments postgame following the Timberwolves’ 107-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 29 at Paycom Center.
NBA ANNOUNCES PLAYERS FOR 2024 PANINI RISING STARS
– Four Seven-Player Teams to Compete in Mini-Tournament on Friday, Feb. 16 (9 p.m. ET, TNT) –
– NBA Rookies and Sophomores to Be Drafted onto Three Teams on Tuesday, Feb. 6 (4 p.m. ET, NBA App);
NBA G League Players to Comprise Fourth Team –
– WNBA Legend Tamika Catchings and Former NBA Standouts Pau Gasol, Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf Named Honorary Head Coaches –
NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 – The NBA announced today the 28 players who have earned spots to compete in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars, which will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as part of NBA All-Star 2024. The annual showcase of premier young talent, featuring a mini-tournament with four teams and three games, will air live at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.
The player pool consists of 11 NBA rookies, 10 second-year NBA players and seven NBA G League players. The 21 NBA players, selected by NBA assistant coaches, will be drafted onto three seven-player teams. The seven NBA G League players, selected by the league office, will comprise the fourth team.
Catchings, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, led the Fever to the 2012 WNBA championship. Rose helped the Pacers reach the 2000 NBA Finals and was the Kia NBA Most Improved Player that season. Schrempf, a three-time NBA All-Star, won back-to-back Kia NBA Sixth Man Awards with the Pacers in the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.
Gasol (Team Pau), Catchings (Team Tamika) and Rose (Team Jalen) will select their teams through the Rising Stars Draft, which will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. ET and stream live on the NBA App. Schrempf (Team Detlef) will coach the team of NBA G League players.
All three games in Panini Rising Stars will be played to a Final Target Score, meaning each game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of with the clock running out. The semifinal games will be played to a Final Target Score of 40. The championship game will be played to a Final Target Score of 25.
Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal (Game 1), and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal (Game 2). The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship (Game 3). The semifinal matchups will be announced at a later date.
In selecting the NBA players for Panini Rising Stars, each NBA team submitted one ballot per coaching staff. Each coaching staff selected four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players at either position, in order of preference, for the rookie ballot and the sophomore ballot. Coaches were not permitted to vote for any player on their team.
The NBA participants for Panini Rising Stars were determined by the total points each player received from the ballots. Points were awarded based on where a player was ranked on each ballot. The player pool includes one more rookie than sophomore based on total points received.
Assistant coaches from the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs will join the honorary head coaches in coaching the Panini Rising Stars teams. The NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs for both the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference have yet to be determined.
Tickets for Panini Rising Stars are available at NBAEvents.com and through the NBA Events App, which can be downloaded in the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Below is the player pool for the 2024 Panini Rising Stars.
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| PANINI RISING STARS: NBA PLAYERS | ||||||
NBA Rookies | NBA Sophomores | ||||||
Bilal Coulibaly (Guard | Washington Wizards) | Paolo Banchero (Frontcourt | Orlando Magic) | ||||||
Keyonte George (Guard | Utah Jazz) | Dyson Daniels (Guard | New Orleans Pelicans) | ||||||
Jordan Hawkins (Guard | New Orleans Pelicans) | Jalen Duren (Frontcourt | Detroit Pistons) | ||||||
Scoot Henderson (Guard | Portland Trail Blazers) | Jaden Ivey (Guard | Detroit Pistons) | ||||||
Chet Holmgren (Frontcourt | Oklahoma City Thunder) | Walker Kessler (Frontcourt | Utah Jazz) | ||||||
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Frontcourt | Miami Heat) | Bennedict Mathurin (Guard | Indiana Pacers) | ||||||
Dereck Lively II (Frontcourt | Dallas Mavericks) | Keegan Murray (Frontcourt | Sacramento Kings) | ||||||
Brandon Miller (Frontcourt | Charlotte Hornets) | Shaedon Sharpe (Guard | Portland Trail Blazers) | ||||||
Brandin Podziemski (Guard | Golden State Warriors) | Jabari Smith Jr. (Frontcourt | Houston Rockets) | ||||||
| Cason Wallace (Guard | Oklahoma City Thunder) | Jalen Williams (Frontcourt | Oklahoma City Thunder) | |||||
Victor Wembanyama (Frontcourt | San Antonio Spurs) | |||||||
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PANINI RISING STARS: NBA G LEAGUE PLAYERS | ||||
Izan Almansa (Frontcourt | G League Ignite) | ||||
Matas Buzelis (Frontcourt | G League Ignite) | ||||
Ron Holland (Frontcourt | G League Ignite) | ||||
Mac McClung (Guard | Osceola Magic) | ||||
Tyler Smith (Frontcourt | G League Ignite) | ||||
Oscar Tshiebwe (Frontcourt | Indiana Mad Ants)* | ||||
Alondes Williams (Guard | Sioux Falls Skyforce) | ||||
Los Angeles Lakers Victory Over Golden State Warriors on ABC Draws Largest Regular-Season NBA Audience Across Platforms in Four Years (Non-Christmas)
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC “Rivals Week” Tripleheader Viewership Up Eight Percent from Last Year
ABC’s broadcast of the Los Angeles Lakers thrilling victory over the Golden State Warriors on January 27 generated the largest regular-season NBA audience across platforms in four years (Non-Christmas). The overtime game averaged nearly four million viewers (3,968,000) and was up seven percent from last year’s comparable game between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, according to Nielsen.
The Lakers vs. Warriors audience peaked on ABC at 11:45 p.m. ET with 5,235,000 viewers. The game broadcast won the night across all of television and in all key demos.
Overall, the NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC “Rivals Week” tripleheader averaged 2,915,000 viewers, up eight percent from last year. The Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets game on ABC averaged 2,623,000 viewers, while the Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks game was viewed by an average audience of 1,784,000.
STEPHEN CURRY AND SABRINA IONESCU GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN FIRST NBA VS. WNBA 3-POINT CHALLENGE AT STATE FARM® ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT ON TNT
– Eat. Learn. Play. and SI20 Foundation to Receive Donation from NBA and WNBA; State Farm to Provide Donation to NBA Foundation for Every 3-Pointer Made During the Challenge –
The competition will air on TNT after the STARRY® 3-Point Contest and before the AT&T Slam Dunk. State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
As part of the competition, Curry’s Eat.
Ionescu challenged Curry to a 3-point competition after she recorded 37 points (out of a possible 40 points) in the final round of the STARRY WNBA 3-Point Contest at AT&T WNBA All-Star 2023, setting a WNBA and NBA single-round event record and winning the contest for the first time. Curry raised the challenge once again when he was mic’d up during Golden State’s Jan. 25 game against the Sacramento Kings on TNT. Ionescu responded on social media officially accepting the challenge.
Curry, a two-time NBA 3-Point Contest champion, has made an NBA-record 3,577 3-pointers in the regular season. In 2023, Ionescu set a WNBA single-season record with 128 3-pointers.
STEPHEN CURRY LEADS NBA’s MOST POPULAR JERSEY LIST FOR FIRST HALF OF REGULAR SEASON
– Los Angeles Lakers Lead Team Merchandise Sales –
NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association today jointly announced that the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers secured the top spots on the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey and Team Merchandise lists, respectively, based on NBAStore.com sales for the first half of the 2023-24 regular season.
Additional highlights include the following:
- The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (No. 2) earned his highest ranking on the Most Popular Jersey list.
- The San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (No. 4) achieved the highest ranking on the Most Popular Jersey list for a rookie since the Celtics’ Kristaps Porziņģis in the 2015-16 season.
- The Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey (No. 9) and the Sacramento Kings’ De'Aaron Fox (No. 15) made their debuts on the Most Popular Jersey list.
- San Antonio (No. 9) cracked the top 10 in Team Merchandise sales for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Curry and Tatum will both be in action tonight as part of TNT’s doubleheader. First, Tatum and the Celtics will host the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET), followed by Curry and the Warriors taking on the 76ers in San Francisco (10 p.m. ET).
LAKERS’ D’ANGELO RUSSELL FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2024 – Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell has been fined $15,000 for kicking the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred following the conclusion of the Lakers’ 145-144 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 27 at Chase Center.
To view the incident, click here.
NBA ANNOUNCES GAME SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2024 – The NBA announced today the rescheduling of two Golden State Warriors games that were postponed last week after the passing of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević. In addition, two other scheduling changes were made to accommodate the rescheduling.
Below are the four changes to the NBA game schedule:
· The Golden State at Utah Jazz game, previously scheduled for Jan. 17, has been rescheduled to Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET.
· The Dallas Mavericks at Golden State game, previously scheduled for Jan. 19, has been rescheduled to April 2 at 10 p.m. ET.
· The Atlanta Hawks at Dallas game, previously scheduled for April 5, has been rescheduled to April 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
· The Golden State at Dallas game, previously scheduled for April 2, has been rescheduled to April 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS’ GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO NAMED NBA CARES BOB LANIER COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD DECEMBER WINNER
– NBA to donate $10,000 to Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation –
– Antetokounmpo is being recognized for his efforts during the NBA’s Season of Giving –
NEW YORK, January 26, 2024 – The NBA today announced Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of December. Antetokounmpo is being recognized for his efforts throughout Season of Giving – an annual five-week celebration beginning in mid-November that runs through December when NBA teams and players give back by supporting and uplifting youth, families, and organizations in their communities. Antetokounmpo will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation.
Throughout December, Antetokounmpo hosted special events to give back to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. On December 14, he hosted 100 youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee for a special movie night and holiday shopping experience. Antetokounmpo provided transportation, food and beverages and rented two movie theaters for a screening of the film “Wonka”. After the movie, each child received a gift card to Target to spend on gifts for themselves and family members. Antetokounmpo spent time shopping with the children and helping them pick gifts for their loved ones. He also helped to provide basic clothing, winter accessories and other household items for the youth. More than 90% of the children from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee qualify for free or reduced lunch, furthering Antetokounmpo’s passion to provide a special experience that many kids could not typically afford. On December 16, Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hosted seven youth from Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, with three families coming from Greece to meet him. As part of the experience, the youth signed one-day team contracts with the team, watched practice and met Antetokounmpo prior to the game. He signed jerseys, shoes and basketballs for all the kids from Make-A-Wish.
Also in December, Antetokounmpo and his family hosted their third annual Christmas event, where the family hosted 300 Milwaukee foster families for a night of holiday cheer and celebrations. Children in foster care were able to enjoy an evening of balloon artists, face painting, dance parties and other games and crafts. Each child received a photo with Santa and the Milwaukee Bucks mascot, Bango. The foster parents were also able to visit a holiday gift shop to pick out toys and clothes for the children. Volunteers helped wrap presents so each family could go home with wrapped gifts to put under their Christmas tree.
In addition to Antetokounmpo’s Season efforts throughout December, he tipped off Season of Giving with his family by spending Thanksgiving Day serving dinner to 86 men living in shelter at Guest House Milwaukee. The family paid for a catered meal and served dinner to the residents. Antetokounmpo also ensured each resident received new blankets and socks, which are critical necessities for individuals in shelter as they face winter in Wisconsin. In October, Antetokounmpo hosted The Big Give Back, a diaper and fundraising drive for the Milwaukee Diaper Mission. The Big Give Back raised over $180,000 and provided more than 10,000 diaper donations.
“I am fortunate to be in a position where I can give back to the communities that have raised me,” said Antetokounmpo. “Building my legacy on the court has been fun these past 10 years, but being able to take the next step in my career and build a legacy of giving back with my family is what has been truly rewarding.”
Antetokounmpo will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during pre-game of the Jan. 27 Pelicans-Bucks game. Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Jon Horst and Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin will present him with the David Robinson trophy.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years. He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season. Each monthly winner receives the David Robinson trophy and the NBA makes a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice. To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.
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About NBA Cares
NBA Cares is the league's global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA's mission of addressing important social issues. NBA Cares has provided more than 6.5 million hours of hands-on service and created more than 2,200 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in 40 countries and territories. NBA Cares partners with renowned social impact organizations to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health & wellness, including: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Vera Institute of Justice, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNICEF, Special Olympics, The Jed Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLSEN.
NOTE: Complete voting results for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game starters are available here.
Please note that in the complete voting results, players are listed with the team that they were on when player and media voting began.
NBA LAUNCHPAD SELECTS FIVE COMPANIES FOCUSED ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the five companies that will make up the third cohort of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to source, evaluate and pilot emerging technologies that advance its top basketball and business priorities. The group includes three companies focused on advancing the game and two centered on enhancing fan experience.
NBA Launchpad companies will now begin a six-month immersive process that includes hands-on support from the NBA and access to NBA resources to further develop their technologies. At the conclusion of the program, the NBA Launchpad companies will present to NBA executives, strategic partners and investors during Demo Day at NBA 2K25 Summer League in July in Las Vegas.
“NBA Launchpad continues to support cutting-edge technology startups to stay at the forefront of basketball innovation,” said Tom Ryan, NBA Vice President for Basketball Strategy. “Working with these talented entrepreneurs inspires our thinking and has the power to change the game.”
“Collaborating with NBA Launchpad companies gives us a chance to look at new and innovative ways to enhance fan experience and engagement,” said Jason Bieber, NBA Vice President of New Business Ventures. “This year’s group of pioneering technologies provides us with yet another opportunity to place our fans at the center of everything we do.”
The 2024 cohort of the NBA Launchpad program, as outlined below, features companies from four countries: United States, Denmark, Canada and United Kingdom.
Advancing The Game
· Reboot Motion (Los Angeles): A movement analysis platform helping large organizations excel in biomechanics at scale.
· Tonsser (Copenhagen, Denmark): A digital product and community enabling youth athletes to track their performances, improve their skills, compare and compete against peers, and access opportunities.
· Plantiga (Vancouver, Canada): Advanced in-shoe sensors with AI insights that track step-by-step load, performance and asymmetries during training and competition.
Enhancing Fan Experience
· TextQL (New York): An AI-native data intelligence platform that helps non-technical users self-serve insights in real-time for data driven decisions.
· Dimension Studio (London): A real-time 3D production studio and platform for virtual worlds, virtual humans and virtual sport.
For more information, please visit the NBA Launchpad website or email Launchpad@NBA.com.
2024 NBA ALL-STAR GAME UNIFORMS UNVEILED
- The Uniforms Are Available for Purchase Beginning Tonight, Following the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Staters Announcement on TNT at 7 p.m. ET –
“THROW IT DOWN WITH BILL WALTON” ALTERNATE GAME TELECAST RETURNS TO NBA LEAGUE PASS VIA THE NBA APP ON JAN. 29: “MISS SEASON 2 AT YOUR OWN PERIL”
– Jason Benetti to Return as Play-by-Play Host; Walton to be Joined by Special Guests from Across Sports and Entertainment for Game Breakdowns and Live Commentary –
– First Telecast Set for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets Matchup on Jan. 29 –
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2024 – The NBA today announced the return of “Throw it Down with Bill Walton,” an alternate game telecast hosted by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and legendary broadcaster Bill Walton that will stream on NBA League Pass via the NBA App with a new slate of guests. Season two will feature four alternate game telecasts during the 2023-24 season, beginning Monday, Jan. 29 for the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets game at 9 p.m. ET.
Walton, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, and play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti will provide in-game analysis, offer their thoughts on rising stars throughout the league and will feature special guests from across sports, music and entertainment.
“THROW IT DOWN Season 2 is here, and what could be better,” said Walton. “I’m excited, honored, and privileged beyond words. The NBA is the best – of everything; the best game, the best players, the best and most interesting people, the best and most innovative entertainment product, the list is endless. THROW IT DOWN is also the best way to enjoy, embrace, and consume the NBA. Our show team, led by the incomparable Jason Benetti, delivers unmatched everything; dynamic, vibrant, and exhilarating guests, fabulous, exciting, and provocative discourse and storytelling and leading-edge technology. An all-encompassing experience like no other, all with minimal interruptions as we ricochet through uncharted time and space. Our show is a mix of the greatest story ever told and the greatest show in this universe – and undoubtedly beyond. We are exclusive to the NBA App, which is the next evolutionary step in human progress following the innovations of the wheel, fire, the thermos and the high post offense. Miss THROW IT DOWN Season 2 at your own peril. Simply THE BEST OF THE BEST! The pressure is on, the countdown has begun and you’ve been suitably warned! Here we go! THROW IT DOWN Season 2, is here, NOW!!!”
Special guest appearances on “Throw it Down with Bill Walton” during the 2022-23 season included Basketball Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Julius Erving, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, Nike co-founder and chairman emeritus Phil Knight, Grateful Dead founding member Bobby Weir, award-winning actor and comedian Adam Sandler, seven-time GRAMMY Award winner John Mayer, and two-time Academy Award winner Ben Affleck, among others.
The full “Throw it Down with Bill Walton” game schedule is highlighted below:
Date | Matchup | Time |
Monday, Jan. 29 | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets | 9:00 p.m. ET |
Monday, Feb. 5 | Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers | 7:00 p.m. ET |
Monday, March 11 | Phoenix Suns vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. ET |
Monday, March 25 | Indiana Pacers vs. LA Clippers | 10:30 p.m. ET |
As previously announced, the free-to-download NBA App features a range of new enhancements and content for the 2023-24 season, including “Bring it Home” chronicling the Denver Nuggets’ 2022-23 championship season, season two of the NBA Entertainment original “Pass the Rock”, which takes fans behind-the-scenes into the lives of some of the game’s rising stars, and the “Iceman” documentary spotlighting San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ TRISTAN THOMPSON SUSPENDED 25 GAMES FOR VIOLATION OF NBA/NBPA ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM
NEW YORK, January 23, 2024 – The NBA announced today that Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been suspended without pay for twenty-five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033.
Thompson’s suspension will begin with tomorrow’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
MAVERICKS AT WARRIORS GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2024 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tomorrow between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors has been postponed due to the passing of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević. The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.
ESPN will now telecast the Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers game on Friday night.
WARRIORS AT JAZZ GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2024 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz has been postponed due to a medical emergency in the Warriors family.
The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.
NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF DEJAN MILOJEVIĆ
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2024 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević:
“The NBA mourns the sudden passing of Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a beloved colleague and dear friend to so many in the global basketball community. In addition to winning the 2022 NBA championship in his first season with the Warriors and mentoring some of the best players in the world, Dejan had a decorated international playing career and was a distinguished head coach in his native Serbia. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Natasa, their children, Nikola and Masa, and the Warriors organization during this tragic time.”
KINGS’ MIKE BROWN FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2024 – Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown has been fined $50,000 for aggressively pursuing a game official during live play, and for publicly criticizing the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Brown’s actions took place during and after the Kings’ 143-142 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 14 at Fiserv Forum.
LOS ANGELES AND LA CLIPPERS TO HOST NBA ALL-STAR 2026
-- L.A. to Welcome Its Record Seventh NBA All-Star, First at Intuit Dome –
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that Los Angeles has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2026. The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, home of the LA Clippers, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, and the first time the Intuit Dome will host the annual midseason showcase reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement today during a press conference at Intuit Dome, where he was joined by Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr.
“The Intuit Dome promises to present a unique and innovative live basketball experience which will be an extraordinary venue for the NBA All-Star Game in 2026,” said Silver. “Thanks again to Steve Ballmer, Gillian Zucker, and the Clippers organization for their commitment to delivering a world-class showcase of the very best of our sport.”
Intuit Dome, which is set to open in August 2024, is a multipurpose venue that will be the new home of the LA Clippers.
“We are building Intuit Dome to house and showcase the best basketball players in the world, and we are honored they will all be under our roof for NBA All-Star,” said Ballmer. “Along with Inglewood and Los Angeles, we thank the NBA for bringing the league’s marquee event to Intuit Dome in 2026.”
The LA Clippers worked in collaboration with the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission to bring NBA All-Star 2026 to Los Angeles.
NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13 at Intuit Dome with NBA Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On Feb. 14, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk. NBA All-Star 2026 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15.
The NBA will host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood, including at Kia Forum and the Los Angeles Convention Center. These events, including NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T, the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and an NBA All-Star fan fest, will feature basketball programming and entertainment for fans as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.
The league will also continue to celebrate its commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2026. Through partnerships with schools, local and national nonprofit organizations, the league will reach thousands of children and families in Los Angeles, Inglewood and the surrounding areas and provide critical resources to community-based programs.
RAPTORS’ DARKO RAJAKOVIĆ FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2024 – Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
Rajaković made his comments to the media following the Raptors’ 132-131 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 9 at Crypto.com Arena.
Photos: Former NBA player and French Men’s National Team member Mickaël Piétrus at a Jr. NBA clinic in Paris ahead of The NBA Paris Game 2024 presented by Revolut, which will feature the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing the league’s third regular-season game in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. CET (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)
FRANCE AND NBA ANNOUNCE EXPANDED YOUTH BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING AHEAD OF PARIS 2024
– Largest Jr. NBA Week Ever Underway Now in Paris and Will Reach Nearly 4,000 Youth, Coaches and Referees Through Series of Events Featuring NBA Champion Tony Parker, WNBA All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, French National Team Head Coach Vincent Collet and Assistant Coach Cathy Melain –
– Former French National Team Members Diandra Tchatchouang and Ian Mahinmi to Attend Launch of New Jr. NBA Leagues in Paris and Marseille –
– NBA, FFBB and LNB Plan to Launch New Player Development Program
to Develop Elite-Level Prospects in the LNB; NBA App to Livestream Select LNB Games –
PARIS, Jan. 10, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) and the LNB Betclic ELITE (LNB) – France’s top professional basketball league – today announced several initiatives to expand youth basketball development in France ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris, where basketball will be a featured sport.
The programming, which will be hosted in collaboration with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Union Nationale du Sport Scolaire (UNSS), will build on Jr. NBA programming that has reached more than a quarter of a million French youth over the past decade.
As part of the announcement, the NBA, the FFBB and the LNB plan to launch a new player development program to develop elite-level prospects in the LNB, which the FFBB and the LNB plan to share more information about in the coming months. And beginning Saturday, Jan. 20 when Élan Chalon hosts JL Bourg at 6:30 p.m. CET / 12:30 p.m. ET, the NBA will livestream one LNB game each week to fans in France, the U.S., and more than 150 other countries around the world. The LNB currently features four players who are projected by ESPN to be drafted in the 2024 NBA Draft: Melvin Ajinca (Saint-Quentin), Zacharie Perrin (Antibes), Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg), and Tidjane Salaun (Cholet Basket).
The announcement was made during the largest Jr. NBA Week ever, which is reaching nearly 4,000 youth, coaches and referees from across Paris and parts of Europe and the Middle East through a series of clinics and workshops featuring four-time NBA champion Tony Parker (France), two-time WNBA All-Star Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), French Men’s National Team head coach Vincent Collet, and French Women’s National Team assistant coach Cathy Melain, and ahead of The NBA Paris Game 2024 presented by Revolut, which will feature the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing the league’s third regular-season game in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. CET. The NBA Paris Game 2024 presented by Revolut will air live on beIN SPORTS, free-to-air Canal+ and NBA League Pass – the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App – reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media, and social media.
On Friday, Jan. 12, the NBA, the FFBB and the UNSS will launch a new annual Jr. NBA League in Paris for 450 youth ages 13 and under from 30 schools across the city. The league will tip off with a draft event that will be attended by former French Women’s National Team member Diandra Tchatchouang and former French Men’s National Team member and NBA player Ian Mahinmi. This Spring, the NBA and the FFBB will also launch a new Jr. NBA 3-on-3 League in Marseille for 450 youth ages 13 and under from 30 schools across the city.
The NBA’s International Basketball Operations Department, which oversees the league’s elite basketball development programming including Basketball Without Borders and NBA Academy that have seen more than 115 former participants advance to the NBA and WNBA, is working with the FFBB and the LNB to elevate all aspects of their elite player development and retention strategies, including through the planned launch of the NBA, the FFBB and the LNB’s new player development program.
In addition, throughout this week, NBA Academy Africa – an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal for the top male and female prospects from across Africa and the first of its kind on the continent – and an NBA Academy U-17 select team featuring top prospects from NBA Academy Africa, NBA Global Academy (Australia) and NBA Academy Latin America (Mexico), are playing a series of exhibition games in Paris against youth teams from the LNB’s Paris Basketball and Nanterre as well as an FFBB team from INSEP (France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance).
Last January, in conjunction with The NBA Paris Game 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a comprehensive plan to collaborate on a variety of initiatives to elevate basketball in France and Africa at all levels. Since then, the NBA, the FFBB and the LNB have held several youth basketball development events in France, as well as several workshops covering all aspects of fan engagement and the commercialization of basketball, including media distribution, content production, elite player development and retention, and more.
Below is an overview of additional youth basketball development and fan engagement programming in France this week and in the coming months.
- Beginning Jan. 11 at NBA House – a free, interactive fan event at the Carreau du Temple in the 3rd Arrondissement featuring appearances by Parker and Ionescu – and continuing through the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the league will host a series of viewing parties in France where fans will be able to watch live NBA games together, including in primetime as part of the league’s “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays” primetime initiative. Fans can register their interest in receiving more information NBA.com/IDFrance.
- As part of Jr. NBA Week:
- Eleven current and former players, legends and coaches are helping lead clinics: Parker, Ionescu, Mahinmi, Tchatchouang, former NBA player and French Men’s National Team member Mickaël Piétrus, Cavaliers assistant coach Dan Geriot, Nets assistant coach Will Weaver, Collet, Melain, former Paris Basketball player Amara Sy, and Head of Paris Basketball Training Program Christophe Denis.
- The NBA and the FFBB are hosting the Paris regional finals of their annual Jr. NBA Challenge Benjamin(e)s program Skills Challenge, which reaches 15,000 boys and girls across France annually through a variety of skills competitions. The two winners (boys and girls) will each receive two tickets to The NBA Paris Game 2024 presented by Revolut.
- The NBA and the FFBB held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament featuring 23 teams of boys and girls ages 15-18 competing for the chance to attend The NBA Paris Game 2024 presented by Revolut.
- Ninety local female players participated in Her Time To Play programming comprised of on-court basketball development, conversations focused on female empowerment, and opportunities for women in sports and leadership.
- The NBA is collaborating with the LNB’s Paris Basketball on a series of Jr. NBA and coaching clinics, including a Jr. NBA clinic on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Accor Arena prior to Paris Basketball’s game against AS Monaco, which the youth participants will attend.
- Earlier this week, coaches from the Cavaliers, the Nets, and France Men’s and Women’s National Teams led clinics for local coaches to teach techniques and best practices for team and player development at any level. Top male and female players from the FFBB team from INSEP and Paris Basketball Academy participated as demo teams. The clinics were also livestreamed to coaches across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America on OWQLO, the official app of the Jr. NBA program in those regions.
- The NBA is hosting a Jr. NBA League Workshop at the FFBB headquarters in Paris for representatives from the Jr. NBA Leagues across Europe and the Middle East to share best practices around the program and identify opportunities for collaboration and growth.
There have been more NBA players from France than from any other country outside North America, including a record 14 this season. Live NBA games and programming air in France on beIN SPORTS and NBA League Pass, including more than 40 weekend games in primetime this season as part of “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays.”
Executive Quotes:
French President Emmanuel Macron:
“I am proud that the NBA has chosen France for this unique, innovative and virtuous partnership. It is great news for all basketball fans in France, and a real boost for our best young hopefuls, as well as for all our clubs and professional basketball leagues.”
French Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra:
“On the eve of the Paris 2024 Games and a spectacular Olympic edition of basketball to be held at the Pierre Mauroy stadium and Arena Bercy, we are extremely pleased to strengthen our global partnership with the NBA. Along with President Macron and Commissioner Adam Silver, we are proud of and delighted with this cooperation, which builds on the Jr. NBA programming that has already helped more than 250,000 French youngsters over the past 10 years. These new initiatives highlight the prestige of French training and the expertise of our clubs, as demonstrated by the record presence of 14 French players in the NBA this season.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“We’re excited to expand on our on-going efforts with President Macron and the French basketball community to grow youth basketball development programming ahead of this summer’s highly-anticipated Olympic basketball competition. There is incredible momentum around basketball and the NBA in France, and through these efforts we hope to inspire our next generation of French players and fans.”
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis:
“I couldn’t have imagined a better start to the Olympic year in the host city of Paris, with so many basketball activities taking place, ranging from grassroots events to the highest level of professional basketball. There is no doubt that the popularity of our sport will continue to rise in a country that is already so enthusiastic about the game.”
FFBB President Jean-Pierre Siutat:
“For the third year, the NBA is coming to Paris as part of The NBA Paris Game for a regular-season match at the Accor Arena. In addition to the match, we’re taking advantage of the opportunity to organize a week of basketball events thanks to a strengthened partnership between the FFBB and the NBA, a partnership that has been in place since 2010. This collaboration covers youth programs such as the Jr. NBA Challenge Benjamin(e)s program, the Jr. NBA League FFBB UNSS, the Jr. NBA 3-on-3 League in Marseille, as well as programs linked to the development and training of young talent to which the federation is very attached. Relations with the NBA involve all of the stakeholders in French basketball, which is very positive for the growth of our sport. The FFBB is a leading federation in Europe for the NBA, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Macron and Adam Silver for their support in this development strategy, which is all the more relevant in an Olympic year.”
LNB President Philippe Ausseur:
“I am delighted with this global agreement with the NBA, which reaffirms the current dynamic of French professional basketball. Through this agreement, it is the global recognition of the excellence of French training of which our clubs are the great architects. Finally, the broadcast of one Betclic ELITE championship match per week on the NBA App demonstrates our attractiveness and our ongoing capacity to develop to attract new audiences.”
UNSS Directeur National Olivier Girault:
“We are delighted to be back in Paris with the launch of this new edition of the Jr. NBA FFBB UNSS League. This event reflects the long and perfect collaboration between the UNSS and the FFBB. By teaming up with a world-renowned league like the NBA, we are also demonstrating the importance of opening up to the international arena for our young people. We also want to strengthen the links between FFBB clubs and school sports associations in junior and senior high schools, with the common aim of offering more basketball at school. This year, more than 500 UNSS-licensed students will get involved and discover basketball thanks to these two NBA FFBB UNSS Leagues.”
NBA ANNOUNCES 2024 TEAM SALES & MARKETING AWARDS
– Sacramento Kings Receive Team of the Year Award and Team Innovation Award–
– Minnesota Timberwolves Presented with Inclusion Leadership Award;
Utah Jazz Recognized with Team Viewership Innovation Award –
NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2024 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced its 2024 NBA Team Sales & Marketing Awards yesterday at the league’s annual NBA Sales & Marketing Meeting in Miami.
The Sacramento Kings received the NBA Team of the Year Award for their achievements across team business operations, including ticketing, partnerships, marketing and strategy & analytics. The Kings were also recognized with the NBA Team Innovation Award, which honors the execution of unique ideas that have generated a positive business impact.
The Minnesota Timberwolves accepted the NBA Inclusion Leadership Award, which recognizes a team’s excellence in creating programming that promotes inclusion, while the Utah Jazz were presented with the first-ever NBA Team Viewership Innovation Award, which recognizes new initiatives that drive game viewership and consumption. Additionally, Golden State Warriors Senior Director of Guest Experiences Alison Wright and Phoenix Suns Senior Director of Live Presentation Shawn Martinez took home the Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award and the Values of the Game Award, respectively.
All 30 teams had the opportunity to submit a nomination in each category for awards recognizing leaders and innovators across key areas from Oct. 2022 – Oct. 2023, with a committee of league and team executives choosing the winners.
“This year’s NBA Sales & Marketing Award winners demonstrated an incredible commitment to improving the NBA ecosystem and fan experience through innovative campaigns and initiatives,” said Jonathan Tillman, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Team Marketing and Business Operations (TMBO). “These best-in-class efforts helped set a gold standard for the league and the sports industry more broadly and will inspire further innovation around business operations and fan engagement moving forward.”
NBA Team of the Year: Sacramento Kings
The Kings received the NBA Team of the Year Award for their outstanding business growth and impactful fan and community engagement efforts. The team had its highest season ticket renewal campaign in franchise history and ranked No. 2 among all NBA teams in ticket revenue growth. Additionally, the Kings set a team record for digital and content partnership revenue and ranked second in partnership revenue growth leaguewide.
The Kings ranked No. 1 in game experience, launched a new e-commerce and in-arena team store that led to a 35% increase in merchandises sales and introduced the Golden 1 Skills Challenge – a new physical and digital concourse activation where participants put their basketball skills to the test for an opportunity to “light the beam” virtually. Viewership of Sacramento Kings games on NBC Sports California was up 200% compared to the 2021-22 season and the team’s “League Pass on Us” promotion generated a league-high percentage in NBA League Pass offers redeemed.
NBA Team Innovation Award: Sacramento Kings
The Kings earned the NBA Team Innovation Award for the launch of their “Victory Beam,” which became a celebrated tradition among fans in Sacramento and around the world following every team victory. Lighting up in purple following every win, the “Victory Beam” had a notable impact on the local community and team business as the initiative fueled new merchandise offerings, digital content opportunities, and more than 6,000 media stories.
NBA Team Viewership Innovation Award: Utah Jazz
The Jazz were presented with the NBA Team Viewership Innovation Award, recognizing the transformation of the team’s local game and content distribution, which included the launch of Jazz+, a direct-to-consumer in-market subscription streaming service, and a shift in their distribution of local games to the over-the-air TV station KJZZ-TV. To streamline the transition, the Jazz, in partnership with SEG Media, collaborated with the NBA’s Next Gen integrated technology platform and Kiswe to oversee the game broadcasts and distribution. Jazz+ provides subscribers with unprecedented access to the organization through live games, exclusive footage and additional original content that highlights team activities and happenings both on and off the court. Jazz games on KJZZ-TV garnered a 53% increase in average viewership compared to the 2022-23 season.
NBA Inclusion Leadership Award: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves received the NBA Inclusion Leadership Award for its expanded “Pack the Vote” initiative which launched in 2020 and focuses on providing nonpartisan voter education, increasing voter registration and civic engagement. In February 2023, in partnership with the NBA Social Justice Coalition, Restore the Vote Coalition and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Board Member Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves leveraged their platform to support the restoration of voting rights in Minnesota as lawmakers were moving the HF28 bill through the state legislature. Collectively, this working group raised awareness around the bill and policy, which would restore the right to vote to formerly imprisoned citizens, secured support for bill passage and drove voter registration. The bill was signed into law on March 3, 2023 and went into effect on June 1, 2023, granting 50,000 Minnesotans that were previously incarcerated or on parole the right to vote.
After successfully advocating for the passage of the law, the working group is supporting implementation of the legislation by using their platform to educate the public. As part of these efforts, the Timberwolves hosted a Pack the Vote Community Conversation focusing on the Restore the Vote law at All Square, a non-profit social enterprise that invests in those impacted by mass incarceration. The panel featured Towns, MN Senate President & Chair of the MN Senate Jobs & Economic Development Committee Bobby Joe Champion, Director of Pathways Program at New Justice Project Jasmine Kitto and Author & MNJRC Community Engagement Manager Zeke Caligiuri.
Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award: Alison Wright, Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors Senior Director of Guest Experiences Alison Wright received the Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award. The award – which pays tribute to the late Pete Winemiller, former Senior Vice President of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder – recognizes an individual who demonstrates innovation and enhances the live game experience for fans and guests throughout the year.
Wright played a pivotal role in elevating the experience for fans, employees and stakeholders at Chase Center by introducing and launching creative initiatives centered around leadership development, project management, employee recognition and guest feedback. She launched a new annual employee survey for part-time team members, leadership workshops and “lunch and learn sessions” which provided actionable insights across the organization that were implemented to improve the experience for all guests and arena stakeholders. Additionally, Alison participated in the NBA Game Experience Roundtable panel conversations at Chase Center aimed to drive collaboration between the Guest Experiences and Security departments, where she provided best practices to industry leaders on successful communication methods, fostering interdepartmental partnerships and fan code of conduct trainings, among other areas.
NBA Values of the Game Award: Shawn Martinez, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns Senior Director of Live Presentation Shawn Martinez received the NBA Values of the Game Award, which recognizes an individual who embodies the NBA’s mission of inspiring and connecting people through the game of basketball.
Martinez helped lead the Suns’ efforts to recognize the local Native American community in unique ways, headlined by the ORIGINATIV program, which celebrated the cultures and traditions of the 22 Tribal Nations of Arizona. As part of the initiative, the Suns featured Native American performers and authentic in-game programming during 10 ORIGINATIV themed nights designed to honor Arizona’s Indigenous communities. In November 2023, Martinez was presented with the Man of the Year Award by the Phoenix Indian Center for his commitment to uplifting and serving the community.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and
WARRIORS’ DRAYMOND GREEN REINSTATED
AFTER 12-GAME SUSPENSION
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2024 – Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been reinstated following his suspension for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić on Dec. 12, 2023, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
During the period of his suspension, which began on Dec. 14 and resulted in him missing 12 games, Green completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players. He has engaged in meetings with a counselor and has met jointly on multiple occasions with representatives of the NBA, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association, both of which will continue throughout the season.
NEW YORK, January 4, 2024 – The NBA announced today that the Brooklyn Nets organization has been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy in connection with the team’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 27 at Barclays Center.
Following an investigation, including review by an independent physician, the NBA determined that four Nets rotation players, who did not participate in the game, could have played under the medical standard in the Player Participation Policy, which was adopted prior to this season. The organization’s conduct violated the Policy, which is intended to promote player participation in the NBA’s 82-game season.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS’ KYLE KUZMA NAMED NBA CARES BOB LANIER COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD NOVEMBER WINNER
– Kuzma is being recognized for hosting jail reform event through his foundation and his efforts during the Wizards’ Season of Giving activities –
– NBA to donate $10,000 to Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation –
NEW YORK, December 29, 2023 – The NBA today announced Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award November winner for giving back to his hometown of Flint, Michigan and hosting a special event through his foundation (Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation). Each month, the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognizes a player monthly for their outstanding work in the community.
On November 26, Kuzma surprised mothers at the Genesee County Jail in Flint with clothing and gifts for them and their children for the holidays. Kuzma also unveiled Kuz’s corner – two newly renovated jail cells as a part of a larger effort to upgrade the facility’s conditions.
In conjunction with the event, Kuzma announced the launch of a special partnership through his foundation with I.G.N.I.T.E. and R.I.S.E. to support residents of the facility for a successful future when they re-enter society. I.G.N.I.T.E’s mission is to reverse the cycle of generational incarceration through education by providing residents with valuable job training and skills that they can use upon release to gain employment and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Since inception in 2020, I.G.N.I.T.E. has provided more than 250,000 hours of educational training to over 2,500 residents leading to a reduction of assaults and violent offenses in the jail by 97%. R.I.S.E.’s mission is to ensure that residents in the Genesee County Jail have access to behavioral and social health support services and complements the work of I.G.N.I.T.E.
Also in November, Kuzma and others from Monumental Basketball (Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming) partnered to host Thankful Meals presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a community outreach event to serve Washington D.C.’s Ward 7 and Ward 8 residents. Kuzma distributed over 1,500 hot meals from Black-owned restaurant Henry’s Soul Café. Those in attendance also went home with a GIANT food store gift card.
“Helping to uplift the communities that are special to me is a privilege, so being recognized for that work is a humbling experience, particularly when it takes place during the season of giving,” said Kuzma. “I’m proud to share this honor with my family and support system as well as my teammates and the entire Wizards organization, as all of us are committed to continuing to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Kuzma will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during pre-game of the Dec. 29 Nets-Wizards game. Washington Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins will present him with the award.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years. He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season. To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.
KNICKS-PISTONS GAME SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 26
RELOCATED TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2023 – The National Basketball Association announced today that the Detroit Pistons Feb. 26 game with the New York Knicks will be moved to Madison Square Garden. The cause for the change was unique scheduling complications associated with the In-Season Tournament.
The game will now tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF SENATOR HERB KOHL
NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2023 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former Milwaukee Bucks governor and U.S. Senator Herb Kohl:
“Senator Kohl was a dear friend and one of our very best public servants. In addition to his decades of devoted service in the U.S. Senate, he set the standard for NBA team ownership as the governor of his hometown Milwaukee Bucks for nearly 30 years. Through his purchase of the team, Senator Kohl ensured that the Bucks would stay in Milwaukee and remain an important pillar of the community. There was never any doubt about his extraordinary commitment to the franchise and city that he loved, and his vision and unparalleled financial contribution towards a new arena in Milwaukee will forever be remembered.
“I send my deepest condolences to Senator Kohl’s family, friends and the Bucks organization. He will be deeply missed by his NBA family.”
NBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES SALE OF THE DALLAS MAVERICKS TO THE ADELSON AND DUMONT FAMILIES
NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2023 – The NBA Board of Governors has approved the sale of the controlling interest in the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban to the families of Dr. Miriam Adelson and Sivan and Patrick Dumont. Mr. Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., will serve as the Mavericks’ Governor. The transaction is expected to close this week.
NBA JOINS CELEBRATIONS IN HONOR OF FIRST-EVER WORLD BASKETBALL DAY
- Activities in Celebration of World Basketball Day to Take Place in the U.S. and Abroad -
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2023 – The NBA today announced its celebrations of the first-ever World Basketball Day. Established by the United Nations on August 23 during the FIBA World Cup, World Basketball Day will be observed annually on Dec. 21 – the day Dr. James Naismith first introduced the game of basketball at the Springfield YMCA in 1891.
Nearly 600 million people across the globe play basketball annually and basketball is the second most popular sport in the world, while the number one team sport to play in the United States. Alongside the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), USA Basketball and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the NBA family will honor the game and celebrate World Basketball Day through various programming such as youth clinics and respective social media campaigns – all demonstrating basketball’s societal contributions.
“The NBA family is thrilled to join the global basketball community in celebrating the first World Basketball Day,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “More than 130 years after Dr. James Naismith invented the game at the Springfield YMCA, World Basketball Day is a reminder of basketball’s ability to transcend borders, cultures and languages and unite people around the world.”
This year the NBA family will host the following global celebrations in observance of World Basketball Day:
Domestic
- United Nations’ World Basketball Day Panel: As part of World Basketball Day, the Philippines will host a panel discussion to share the significance of the day and highlight the impact the game brings to everyone around the world at the United Nations on Dec 21. Panelists include Professor David Hollander, founder of World Basketball Day; a representative from the Philippine Embassy; John Doleva, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame President; and Julius Erving, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer.
- United Nations’ World Basketball Day Diplomats Pick-Up Games: On Dec. 21, friendly games between 30 diplomats from 20 different countries at the Vanderbilt YMCA in New York City.
- Jr. NBA Clinic: In celebration of World Basketball Day, the Jr. NBA will host a clinic at the Harlem PAL Center, uniting 80 youth participants, ages 6-14, to learn the fundamentals of the game at the Harlem Police Athletic League in New York City.
International
- NBA Cares Packing Project: On Dec. 15, as part of the first-ever Republika ng NBA Month, the NBA hosted an NBA Cares packing project at the NBA Community Court presented by TITAN in Mandaluyong City. NBA staff and partners assembled care packages for high school students from select public schools around the NBA Community Court ahead of World Basketball Day. Each package included a "Republika ng NBA" t-shirt, a pair of socks and slippers, Gatorade bottle, and vivo-branded backpack and water bottle.
- NBA Basketball School Virtual Conversation: On Dec. 15, NBA Basketball School, a network of basketball development programs around the world for youth ages 6-18, held a virtual conversation with former WNBA player Mery Andrade and former NBA player Zaza Pachulia, who spoke about how basketball has positively impacted their lives, why they are excited about the inaugural World Basketball Day, and answered questions from the attendees.
- NBA Egypt Hoops: On Dec. 21 at the Al Sadat School Gharbia in Egypt, NBA Egypt is setting out to provide public schools with the basic infrastructure which would allow students to practice and experience basketball. This includes installing two basketball hoops, providing three basketballs and doing basic refurbishments in some of the courts where national school competitions take place.
Fans and members of the basketball community can join in the celebration of World Basketball Day by sharing your basketball story on social media using #WorldBasketballDay and tagging the @jrnba & @nbacares social media accounts.
