Two gamers with direct ties to Africa represented the continent within the 75th NBA All-Star Recreation final Sunday – Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers, Cameroon) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs, ties to Democratic Republic of the Congo) – which launched a USA vs. World format.
USA Stars dominated the championship sport with a 47–21 win over USA Stripes, led by a standout efficiency from Anthony Edwards, who was named the 2026 Kia All-Star MVP. It was the most-watched NBA All-Star Recreation within the U.S. in 15 years.
The weekend tipped off with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Movie star Recreation and Castrol Rising Stars showcase on Friday evening, the place Group Vince clinched a slim 25–24 victory over Group Melo in a aggressive finale.
Keshad Johnson (Miami Warmth) gained the AT&T Slam Dunk, Damian Lillard (Portland Path Blazers) edged Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) to take the State Farm 3‑Level Contest, and Group Knicks triumphed within the Kia Capturing Stars competitors on Saturday evening.
As a part of this yr’s All-Star, seven high African prospects from or with direct ties to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal participated within the 10th annual Basketball With out Borders (BWB) All-Star Camp.
Obinna Ekezie Jr., son of former NBA participant Obinna Ekezie (Nigeria), was awarded the Defensive MVP and fashioned a part of the camp’s All-Star Group alongside Cheickh Niang (Italy; ties to Senegal) and Caleb Ourigou (Côte d’Ivoire).
Photograph: Obinna Ekezie Jr. at 10th BWB All-Star Camp in Los Angeles, California
Photograph: Pascal Siakam at 10th BWB All-Star Camp in Los Angeles, California
Within the lead as much as its sixth season which is able to tip off in South Africa on March 27, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) celebrated the continent’s tradition and impression on the sidelines of the worldwide showcase. The BAL Enterprise Cocktail gathered greater than 300 cultural style makers, international entertainers, NBA legends and business leaders, together with representatives of BAL Foundational Companion Rwanda Growth Board, highlighting the continent’s rising affect in sports activities, tradition and artistic industries, whereas emphasizing ongoing conversations round African funding, possession, and the way forward for basketball.
Notable attendees included Rwanda Conference Bureau CEO Janet Kamerera, 2015 NBA champion Festus Ezeli, NBA legend Charles Smith, Somali-American basketball influencer Jamad Fiin and Kenyan singer and songwriter Bien.
Pictures: 2015 NBA champion Festus Ezeli and BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall on the BAL Enterprise Cocktail in Los Angeles, California (left) and Bien and Jamad at Intuit Dome (proper) on Feb. 13, 2026
Amongst international icons attending this yr’s All-Star have been additionally South African rugby champion Siya Kolisi and Grammy Award winner Tyla.
