The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that NBA All-Star 2021 will be held on Sunday, March 7 in Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Hawks, where the league’s annual global celebration of the game
will take place on one night for the first time, with oncourt action beginning at 3:30 p.m. PT on TNT. As part of
this year’s events, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that they will commit more
than $2.5 million in funds and resources toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and support and
awareness around equity and access to COVID-19 care, relief and vaccines.
TNT’s NBA All-Star coverage will begin at 2 p.m. PT followed by the Skills Challenge and MTN DEW® 3-Point Contest starting at 3:30 p.m. PT. Coverage of the 70th NBA All-Star Game
will begin at 5 p.m. PT, with the Slam Dunk contest taking place at halftime. The game will follow the same format as last year, with the teams competing to win each quarter and playing to a
Final Target Score during the untimed fourth quarter.
The rosters for the NBA All-Star Game will be determined through the NBA All-Star Draft, where the two team captains
will select from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference and make their picks without
regard to conference affiliation. The captains will be the All-Star starter from each conference who receives the
most fan votes in his conference. NBA All-Star starters will be announced Thursday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. PT
on TNT.
In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), UNCF
(United Negro College Fund), National Association for Equal
Opportunity (NAFEO) and Direct
Relief’s Fund for Health Equity, the NBA, NBPA and NBA All-Star 2021 partners will highlight the importance of HBCUs and raise awareness around the disparate impact of
COVID-19 on communities of color. In addition, All-Star will feature special performances by HBCU musical groups
and unique storytelling and content by distinguished alumni and students.
For NBA All-Star 2021, the NBA and NBPA have established additional measures to supplement the league’s current
Health and Safety Protocols. These include private travel to and from Atlanta, the creation of a “mini bubble”
environment within a single hotel for players and coaches, and enhanced PCR testing. More information is available here. Additionally, for the well-being and safety of the
greater Atlanta community, there will be no fan activities, ticketed events or hospitality functions as part of
All-Star.
Additional details regarding NBA All-Star 2021 and the date of the NBA All-Star Draft will be announced in the
coming days.
Executive Quotes
NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver: “NBA All-Star in Atlanta will continue our annual tradition of
celebrating the game and the greatest players in the world before a global audience. In addition to the festivities
on the court, the All-Star Game will honor the vital role HBCUs play in our communities and focus attention and
resources on COVID-19 relief, particularly for the most vulnerable.”
NBPA Executive Director, Michele Roberts: “HBCUs provided premium education to our communities at a
time when access to higher learning was denied to us. They were there – and have remained there – for us. We now
stand with them.”
Thurgood Marshall College Fund President and CEO, Dr. Harry L. Williams: “As a founding partner of the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund, the NBA has been a consistent supporter for more than 33 years. By dedicating its All-Star
platform to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the NBA is making a profound statement about
the league’s commitment to a better future, recognizing the crucial role Black Colleges have always played in
facilitating racial equity and serving the African American community.”
UNCF CEO, Dr. Michael Lomax: “We welcome this exciting opportunity to partner with the NBA and the
players. Together, the NBA and players can shine a bright light on the vital work of our nation’s HBCUs and help
ensure that we can support our Black college students on their education journeys.”
Clark Atlanta University President, Dr. George T. French, Jr.: “The Clark Atlanta University
community is incredibly excited to be a part of NBA All-Star 2021. The night will provide a unique opportunity not
only to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty and alumni, but also to share the rich history and
essential contributions of our institution and other HBCUs with a global audience.”
The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) President, Rev. Matthew Wesley Williams:
“As NBA All-Star Weekend visits the City of Atlanta to showcase the talents and contributions of some
of the world’s best and most well-known athletes, the ITC community is pleased to join the NBA and its
players in celebrating the achievements and contributions of some of our country’s most important
institutions our Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
Morehouse College President, David A. Thomas, Ph.D.: “NBA All-Star 2021 presents an extraordinary
moment to highlight the legacy of scholarship, leadership and service HBCUs have represented since their founding.
Morehouse College is excited to be a part of this celebration and momentous occasion.”
Morris Brown College President, Dr. Kevin James: “Morris Brown College would like to thank the NBA,
NBPA and the entire extended NBA family for including us in this year’s All-Star Game. We welcome and appreciate the
attention the night will bring to the unique and vital role played by historically Black institutions here in
Atlanta and across the country.”
Spelman College President, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell: “As NBA All-Star returns to Atlanta, Spelman
College looks forward to being a part of the celebration that highlights HBCUs across the city and beyond. Our
mission at Spelman is to educate Black women to become global leaders and to inspire a commitment to positive
change. We are honored to be part of the NBA 2021 All-Star celebration of our nation’s HBCUs.”
About the NBA All-Star Beneficiaries
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black
College Community. TMCF member schools include the 47 publicly-supported HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions
(PBIs), including medical and law schools. TMCF also serves as a resource for nearly 300,000 students enrolled in
the HBCU/PBI network of schools. The NBA is one of the founding partners of TMCF.
UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
UNCF is the nation’s largest minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF
supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its
37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness.
UNCF institutions and other HBCUs are highly
effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees.
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) is the membership and advocacy
association of all 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 80 Predominantly Black Institutions
(PBIs). NAFEO also Chairs The Alliance for Equity in Higher Education, a formal collaboration among the umbrella
associations of all the Asian American and Pacific Islander Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving
Institutions, HBCUs, Predominantly Black Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Direct Relief (Fund for Health Equity)
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 100 countries, with a
mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. The Fund for Health Equity
will identify and provide financial support to communities in which deep-seated effects of historic racism and
socioeconomic disparities remain and are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.