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Espn & NBA announce 2025 Ruffles® All-Star Celebrity Game roster
MUMBAI: No Valentine’s day plans? No problem. ESPN has your entertainment sorted.
The 2025 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is set to bring an electrifying mix of sports and entertainment to Oakland Arena on Friday, 14 February, at 7 p.m. ET, airing exclusively on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or just here for the celebrity chaos, this showdown promises to be the perfect distraction from heart-shaped chocolates and overpriced prix-fixe dinners.
The lineup includes Indian rap star AP Dhillon, Grammy-nominated musicians, Olympic athletes, and actors. Dhillon, known for blending Punjabi music with hip-hop and pop, joins Team Rice, led by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and influencer Khaby Lame.
The roster features comedians, musicians, and athletes, including Druski, Noah Kahan, Shaboozey, Terrell Owens, Chris Brickley, Masai Russell, Shelby McEwen, Mickey Guyton, Rome Flynn, Matt Barnes, Danny Ramirez, Bayley, Oliver Stark, Pablo Schreiber, and Tucker Halpern. Kai Cenat, Dylan Wang, Baron Davis, and Walker Hayes return for another game. WNBA stars Allisha Gray and Kayla Thornton will also join opposing teams.
The coaching lineup features an exciting mix of music, sports, and digital media icons. Leading the charge is 2 Chainz, the multiplatinum recording artist known for his charisma on and off the court. He is joined by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, whose legendary presence brings a winning mindset to the game. Barry Bonds, the MLB All-Time Home Run King, adds a competitive edge, while globally renowned social media influencer Khaby Lame brings his signature style to the coaching bench.
Host Cassidy Hubbarth returns for MVP presentations and exclusive interviews. Mark Jones, Richard Jefferson, and Stephanie White will provide commentary.
The event kicks off with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Green Carpet, presented by Wingstop, with exclusive coverage on NBA and Espn social media. Fans can also enjoy the Ruffles® 4-Point Ridgeline and Ruffles® Crunch Time.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
