Sport
LeBron James, Dwayne Wade will lead NBA teams at Florida game
For the first time since the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals, the league’s best will play in South Florida.
Thanks to the ongoing lockout, it may be a one-night-only appearance.
Miami Heat stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade (pictured), and Chris Bosh will headline a glitzy group Saturday night at the duly named “South Florida All-Star Classic,” a game where nine players who were in last season’s NBA All-Star game are committing to appear.
In all, the players expected to compete at Florida International in this exhibition collected more than US$168 million in salary last season – and, unless things change, would earn US$0 on NBA courts this year.
“We wanted to do something like this in Miami, so it’s our way of connecting with our fans again,” Wade said. “We want them to know that we want to play basketball this year.”
Just under 5,000 fans are expected, some of whom paid US$50 and US$100 for seats that sold out in less than two hours earlier this week. Others plunked down US$1,000 for courtside seats, and on the secondary resale markets, some tickets were going for more than that.
Proceeds will go to selected charities, including one created in the name of Florida International University (FIU) coach Isiah Thomas’ late mother Mary, and another to fund scholarships for students who attend FIU with hopes of becoming the first generation of college graduates from their families.
“I know I’m going to enjoy the evening,” said Thomas, the Basketball Hall of Famer who helped make the game happen. “It should be something special to see, special for players, special for fans.”
