Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell to particpate in 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

Former Kentucky track star Masai Russell bites her Olympic gold medal at the Georgia game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

A former Wildcat turned Olympic gold medalist is taking her celebrity status to NBA All-Star Weekend.

The NBA announced Tuesday that track star Masai Russell has been named to the 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. She joins a star-studded two-team roster that also includes the likes of Terrell Owens, Noah Kahan, Druski, Shaboozey, and many more. Coaching Russell’s team will be Barry Bonds and 2 Chainz — a natural duo of basketball coaches, of course.

Russell won a gold medal for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.33 seconds. Prior to graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2023, the Washington D.C. native set the still-standing NCAA record in the 100-meter hurdles at 12.36. Her personal best time in this particular race is 12.25 seconds, which she set during the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Bringing her talents to the #RufflesCelebGame at #NBAAllStar… it’s @masai_russell! pic.twitter.com/wFnqmiUIZ2
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 4, 2025

Russell was an 11-time All-American during her time at Kentucky (2018-23) and was a 2023 semifinalist for The Bowerman Award, which is given annually to the best collegiate track and field athlete. She was a First-Team All-American in the 100H (2021, 2022), 400H (2021, 2022), 4x400m (2019, 2021), and 4x100m (2022). To boot, Russell was a three-time Academic Honor Roll member.

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The 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is set for Friday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN in Oakland, CA.

Russell won’t be the only former ‘Cat at All-Star Weekend, either. A quarter of Kentucky players were named to the NBA All-Star Game: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), Anthony Davis (DAL), and Tyler Herro (MIA). Meanwhile, Cason Wallace (OKC) and Reed Sheppard (HOU) were tabbed to the Rising Stars event.