Friday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center wasn’t about basketball. The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is never about basketball.
Yet, don’t tell that to Ryan Smith and Dwyane Wade.
In a much more competitive game than in years past, it was Team Dwyane taking down Team Ryan 81-78 in a thrilling and exciting finish — one that was almost won on a buzzer-beater.
Michael “The Miz” Mizanin drilled a halfcourt heave — which based on the new rules, would’ve been a four-pointer — that would’ve won Team Ryan the game. But after replay, the shot was a second late, and Team Dwyane walked away with the victory.
Seattle Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf took home MVP honors after posting 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks on 9-of-16 shooting. It was apparent that he was the strongest athlete on the court, translating his gridiron skills to the hardwood with thunderous dunks that ignited the crowd time and time again.
While the action on the court was entertaining — as it always is with this game — it was the coaches who were stealing much of the spotlight.
Helping out Wade were the Antetokounmpo brothers (Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex) and three-time Olympic skiing medalist Lindsey Vonn, all of whom could be seen barking orders from the sidelines and smiling wider than anyone in attendance.
For Smith, two-time WNBA Champion Lisa Leslie, rapper and actor Fat Joe, and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman brought the underdog mentality almost pulled off the near upset behind the play of actor Everett Osborne.
The game was played by a cross-section of entertainment and athletic stars, including Grammy Award-winning artist 21 Savage, Janelle Monae, and Cordae. Calvin Johnson, the retired star from the Detroit Lions, also joined Metcalf from the NFL, and recently retired slugger Albert Pujols also participated.
One of the best moments of the evening was when former Jazzman Carlos Boozer came out of the crowd to suit up for Wade, only to be matched when former NBA champion Richard Jefferson came out from behind the broadcast booth to first officiate then play in the game for Smith.
But the highlight of the night came when Wade and Smith faced off in a traditional three-point contest.
In the end, Smith knocked down 44% of his threes to take down Wade, 11-10. Because each shot was worth $3,000, the two combined to raise $63,000 for charity — all while the game raised $100,000 for Howard University.