The NBA’s 73rd All Star Weekend is Just Around the Corner
February 15, 2024
By: Dylan Tehada
One of the most exciting times during the NBA season is right around the corner. The 2024 NBA All Star break, hosted by the Indianapolis Pacers, kicks off on Friday, February 16 and continues through Sunday, February 18 when the All Star game will take place. The NBA’s biggest stars will take center stage competing in a variety of challenges and games throughout the weekend. Fans of all teams will root on their favorite players as they compete against the league’s best and represent their respective teams. This year’s All Star weekend is highlighted by the traditional events, such as the Slam Dunk contest and Skills Challenge, while also featuring new events such as a three point contest between Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry.
With the talent level reaching an all time high in the NBA, the rosters for the various games and challenges are stacked with up and coming stars. The influx of young talent into the league has created a lot of buzz in the league as a new generation of hoopers are becoming household names and rising to stardom. The star studded lineup for this weekend’s festivities will include multiple players who have trained at UPB with Coach Packie Turner.
One of the most exciting young talents in the league who has trained at UPB is Oklahoma City Thunder forward, Jalen Williams. A season after being drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams has made a huge sophomore year leap averaging 19.2 points per game on 54% shooting. His high level production in just his second season earned him a roster spot in this year’s Panini Rising Stars game where he will be playing on Coach Jalen Rose’s team. He will be joined by teammate Chet Holmgren and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, who trained with Coach Packie Turner during the pre draft process.
The highlight of the weekend will be the All Star game that takes place on Sunday. The leagues’ biggest household names will face off against each other in a traditional Eastern Conference vs Western Conference matchup. New York Knicks power forward, Julius Randle, was elected to his second all star appearance averaging 24 points, 5 assist, and 9.2 rebounds per game. Due to an injury, Randle will not be competing in the All Star game, but will be replaced by up and coming star Scottie Barnes, who trained with Coach Packie Turner in his pre draft process and will be competing in his very first all star appearance.
The GLeague Up Next game, which debuted at last year’s All Star Weekend, will be returning this season and features some highly touted prospects in the NBA’s GLeague. Ethan Thompson, guard for the Mexico City Capitanes, and Jermaine Samuels Jr, two-way forward for the Rio Grande Vipers and Houston Rockets, will be featured in this highly anticipated game. Thompson has turned a corner in his third season in the GLeague averaging 21 points per game for the Capitanes. Samuels is also thriving in his second year in the GLeague averaging 21.1 points per game and even earned a two way contract for the Houston Rockets prior to this season. Thompson and Samuels will join Isaiah Wong and Cole Swider, who all trained with Coach Packie Turner during their pre draft process.
Perhaps the most highly anticipated event of the weekend is a three point contest between Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry. Both sharpshooters have dominated the WNBA and NBA three point contests and will look to showcase their sharpshooting prowess in Indiana this weekend in a head to head competition. Ionescu, a long time member of the UPB community and Bay Area native, will look to keep her record for the best three point shooting contest performance in both the NBA and WNBA as she faces off against the greatest three point shooter in NBA history.
We are excited to tune into the All Star festivities this weekend, and are excited to watch all these athletes compete on the biggest stage in the league!
