The countdown to one of the most anticipated events of BET Experience 2026 just got even more exciting.
BET has officially unveiled the first wave of celebrities participating in this year’s BETX Celebrity Basketball Game, giving fans a look at the entertainers, athletes, and personalities who will take the floor at USC’s Galen Center on Thursday night.
More than just a basketball game, the annual event has become a celebration of music, sports, comedy, and Black culture, bringing together some of entertainment’s biggest names before the BET Awards weekend officially kicks into high gear.
A Star-Studded Coaching Staff
Leading one side of the competition is an impressive lineup of hip-hop veterans and cultural icons serving as celebrity coaches:
- Dave East
- Fabolous
- Jim Jones
- Maino
Their competitive personalities and love for basketball should bring plenty of energy to the sidelines while fans watch to see which celebrities step up under pressure.
Celebrity Players Confirmed
BET’s first official roster includes an exciting mix of former NBA stars, musicians, actors, comedians, and media personalities.
Confirmed participants include:
- Danny Green
- Gilbert Arenas
- Nick “Swaggy P” Young
- Paul Pierce
- Babyface E
- Bino Rideaux
- Chris “CP” Powell
- Donnell Rawlings
- Flo Milli
- G Herbo
- Jacquees
- Jaewon
- Jozzy
- Key Glock
- Lucky Daye
- Luke James
- Mariah the Don
- Maliibu Miitch
- Marqoo
- Rome Flynn
- Shannon Sharpe
- Shareef O’Neal
- Symba
- Todd
- YFN Lucci
- Zeddy Will
The roster blends championship experience, viral personalities, chart-topping artists, television stars, and rising talent, making this year’s matchup one of the most diverse celebrity games BET has assembled in recent memory.
More Than Basketball
The entertainment begins long before tip-off.
Hosting this year’s event are Bow Wow and Yung Miami, two personalities with deep roots in music, television, and pop culture.
Fans attending the game can also expect a full night of live entertainment, including:
Pregame
- Inayah performing the National Black Anthem
- Chef Boy
Halftime
- KenTheMan
- YK Niece
Postgame Celebration
- T.I.
- Domani
- King Harris
Music, celebrity competition, and fan interaction continue to make the BETX Celebrity Basketball Game one of the signature attractions of BET Experience weekend.
Event Information
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Location: USC Galen Center, Los Angeles
Hosts: Bow Wow and Yung Miami
Media Correspondent: Azzy Milan
Live DJs: DJ Holiday and DJ Jae Murphy
Livestream: BET’s official YouTube and Facebook channels.
Black TheRapii Take
This year’s celebrity basketball game isn’t just about who wins on the scoreboard—it’s about culture.
With former NBA champions sharing the court with Grammy-nominated artists, television personalities, comedians, and social media stars, the event reflects exactly what BET Experience has evolved into: a weekend where entertainment, sports, music, and community all collide.
The official roster also raises the stakes for what could become one of the most talked-about celebrity games in recent BET history.
Black TheRapii will have complete coverage throughout the weekend, including player spotlights, MVP predictions, game analysis, viral moments, and postgame reactions as BET Experience 2026 continues.
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