2023 All-Star

DK Metcalf wins 2023 Ruffles All-Star Celebrity MVP award

NFL receiver DK Metcalf secures MVP honors after finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and a handful of impressive dunks.

Updated on February 22, 2023 11:11 PM

DK Metcalf throws down one of his 6 impressive dunks during the 2023 Ruffles Celebrity Game.

SALT LAKE CITY — The second-most star-studded game of All-Star weekend wasn’t short on bling, fame, drama or last-minute excitement Friday as the basketball weekend kicked off in style.

It was the 2023 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and it was decided at the final buzzer — or not.

WWE Superstar The Miz sank a half-court heave that was waved off, much to the relief of Team Dwyane Wade, which survived and beat Team Ryan Smith 81-78.

The MVP of the game was DJ Metcalf, who was too physical and too imposing for anyone on Team Ryan. Metcalf, the All-Pro receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, finished with 20 points 10 rebounds and four blocks. Metcalf also added a half-dozen dunks and was easily and quickly the crowd favorite.

The game was played at the Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah. Smith is the owner of the Jazz, and Wade, one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history, has a partial share of the franchise. Wade was assisted on the bench by Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ryan by Lisa Leslie.

NOW PLAYING 🎬

The DK Metcalf 2023 #RufflesCelebGame MVP Mixtape pic.twitter.com/PkHD60KvhJ

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 18, 2023

The comical moment was provided by Guillermo Rodriguez, the vertically challenged correspondent from the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. He did not score, and his best shot resulted in a wedgie. Rodriguez then demanded to contest the jump ball against Metcalf, who obviously was considerably taller and heavier and won the tip.

Just as well: Richard Jefferson, the former NBA champion with the 2016 Cavaliers, executed a double duty — he played and also refereed. Jefferson used his basketball background to his advantaged and delivered a pair of dunks.

The game was played by a cross-section of entertainment and athletic stars, including Grammy Award-winning artist 21 Savage, along with 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.

— Shaun Powell

Team Ryan