The NBA All-Star Weekend caps off with the All-Star Celebrity Game featuring former NBA and WNBA greats, musical acts, comedians, YouTubers, actors, and athletes from various other sports who come together for one spectacular exhibition game. On February 14, 2025, this year's edition saw AP Dhillon, a Punjabi singer, make headlines for his remarkable performance.
Stellar Last Quarter from Dhillon
AP Dhillon, that famous 'Brown Munda' singer, showed his basketball prowess during the Ruffles Celeb Game as part of Team Rice. A once aspiring professional in basketball, Dhillon was the star performer in the second quarter, scoring eight points for his team. This was vital in Team Rice's 66-55 victory against Team Bonds.
This makes Dhillon the first India-born celebrity to score in an NBA All-Star Game. However, it can be noted that Dhillon is originally from Gurdaspur, Punjab, but has been living in Canada since 2015 and now counts as 'Indo-Canadian,' meaning the wait is still on for an Indian citizen to have a score in an NBA game celebrity or professional.
Indian Celebs in NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
In the last ten years, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game has witnessed the participation of numerous Indian and Indian-origin celebrities who have extended the league's reach to South Asian audience.
- Abhishek Bachchan: He calls himself an LA Lakers fan. He was the first Indian to play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in 2015, but he could not do any magic on the court for the limited time he played.
- Ranveer Singh: In 2022 and 2023, he participated in the NBA India ambassador game. Singh didn't score any points. However, his spirit and nasally made him popular among fans. Furthermore, he spent lots of time with them, signing pictures, ultimately promoting Indian sports on a worldwide stage.
- Other Indian-Origin Participants: YouTuber Lilly Singh, comedian Hasan Minhaj, and Anjali Ranadive, daughter of Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, added to the list of participants.
A Milestone for Indian Representation
That marks a milestone for Indian representation in the game system of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. While he might no longer have Indian citizenship, his roots and achievements will resonate back at home for the fans. His court success justifies the growing clout of Indian talent in international fora.
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The 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game didn't just amuse fans; it also depicted the increasing participation of Indian and Indian-origin celebrities in world sports events. The performance of AP Dhillon is a beacon for the fruits of Indian talent at the global level, motivating the younger generation of basketball fans.