Comedian Kevin Hart has been selected as the first on-court emcee for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will have a new format. The event is set to take place at the Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Warriors, this Sunday.
Hart’s role at the All-Star Game will be to bring a comedic element to the live game, as well as energize both the players and the fans. The NBA announced this news through a video in which Draymond Green, a star player for the Golden State Warriors, personally invites Hart to the event. Excited about the opportunity, Hart expresses his desire to have a more active role than just watching from the sidelines. He even reaches out to Shaquille O’Neal, one of the general managers for the All-Star teams, in an attempt to make his participation official.
Although Hart has boasted about his basketball skills, he will not be playing alongside the real NBA All-Stars. However, given his strong connection to the league, he seems like a perfect fit for the emcee role. Hart was named the MVP of the All-Star Celebrity Game for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015, a feat unmatched by any other celebrity.
As a native of Philadelphia and a dedicated 76ers fan, Hart is known for his courtside antics and playful taunting of NBA players. One memorable incident in 2017 involved James Harden, who dropped an impressive stat line against the Sixers after being trash talked by Hart.
Aside from his comedy and acting career, Hart also has experience hosting major events such as the BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and MTV Movie Awards.