After being on the same side for the past two years, Ryan Smith and Dwyane Wade will find themselves on opposite ends of the court come Friday. Feb. 17.
As part of the annual Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at All-Star Weekend, Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, and Wade, minority owner of the Jazz, have been selected as the captains for the game.
From the coaching staffs to the players, the game is as star-studded as it gets.
Team Dwyane’s coaches are as powerful as it gets when it comes to basketball with two-time NBA MVP and 2023 NBA All-Star Game Captain Giannis Antetokounmpo and Olympic Medalist Lindsey Vonn heading the group. Giannis’ brothers, Thanasis and Alex, are also part of the coaching staff.
Helping Smith on the sidelines will be Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and Two-time WNBA Champion Lisa Leslie, World Series Champion Alex Bregman, and Grammy nominated rapper Fat Joe.
For Smith, the game will also have a personal touch.
There will be multiple in-game activations, including the fan-favorite Ruffles 4-Point Ridge Line, that will help to raise up to $100,000 to benefit 5 For The Fight Cancer Research Internship in partnership with Howard University.