More than 300 VIP guests gathered at Lucia LA for Africa Courtside Holding’s annual Africa All-Star Soirée, a private event focused on Africa’s rising role in global basketball.
The exclusive event united NBA figures, investors, entertainers, and cultural leaders to highlight Africa’s impact on the league. Organizers noted it gathered “investors, key stakeholders in live entertainment, and celebrities” to celebrate Africa’s rising role in the NBA.
Among those in attendance were Grammy-winning artist Tyla, rapper Wale, Afrobeats star Wizkid, and actor Damson Idris. Also present were singer Zara Larsson, producer MNEK, and former NBA players Serge Ibaka, Tracy McGrady, and Festus Ezeli. Media figures and entertainers included Chiney Ogwumike, Speedy Morman, Joy Taylor, AJ Calloway, Garcelle Beauvais, Holly Robinson Peete, Michael Jai White, Merle Dandridge, Jamad Fiin, Bien-Aime Baraza, and Chris Spencer.
The event was hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Eliot Dupuis for Africa Courtside Holding, with Kodjoe highlighting African investment and basketball’s future.
The NBA Africa-led soirée, with Amadou Gallo, president of the Basketball Africa League, marked a milestone by announcing the BAL’s sixth season and introducing a franchising model permitting investor-owned teams, aimed at fostering long-term growth in African professional basketball.
Programming blended sport, music, fashion, and community. DJ Tunez headlined music sets alongside DJ Lavish, DJ Bobby Trends, Jae Murphy, and Juls. A fashion presentation led by Senegalese designer Adama Paris showcased contemporary African design.
Guests admired a unique basketball art piece by New York artist Kehinde Wiley, featuring works titled “The Earl of Wochester” and “Morpheus Basketball,” which blend art and sports.
The event was a collaboration with the Basketball Africa League, Hot 97, Trace+, Seed Project, Full Circle Africa, Amplify Africa, and Bacardi, reflecting a unified effort to enhance investment and ownership in African sports and entertainment.
