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Obama Celebrates NBA Growth at 2026 All-Star Game

2/16/2026

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Summary

Obama Celebrates NBA

Barack Obama, former U.S. president, attended the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood and spoke with Reggie Miller.
He credited the NBA's global growth to international stars Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
He said the new 'USA vs. World' format revived interest after competitive declines.
He said his Chicago presidential library will include a full-sized NBA court.
He joked about the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals with Reggie Miller.

Summary

Obama Family Courtside

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and their daughter Sasha attended 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, California, on February 15.
The family sat courtside as Barack Obama caught a loose ball and returned it to Devin Booker.
Barack Obama participated in an on-court interview and reminisced about his favorite basketball memories.
Michelle Obama posted a photo on Instagram calling her family her "favorite teammates on and off the court."

History

Historical Context

The NBA's globalization began with exhibition games in the late 1970s, culminating in the 1992 launch of the Dream Team, which won gold at the Barcelona Olympics. This initiative significantly boosted international interest, leading to a 30% increase in global viewership by 1996. Today, events like the NBA Global Games continue to enhance the league's cultural diplomacy and global reach.

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Obama Celebrates NBA

Barack Obama, former U.S. president, attended the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood and spoke with Reggie Miller.
He credited the NBA's global growth to international stars Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
He said the new 'USA vs. World' format revived interest after competitive declines.
He said his Chicago presidential library will include a full-sized NBA court.
He joked about the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals with Reggie Miller.

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