23
Sep
NBA Legends Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose, Mark Jackson, And More To Headline NBA District Activities As Part Of NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 Presented By ADQ
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced the lineup of NBA legends who will attend The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ and headline “NBA District” activities from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 5 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
The interactive fan event will be held in conjunction with The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ, which will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers playing preseason games on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
NBA legends Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose, Mark Jackson, John Starks, Rudy Gay and Michael Carter-Williams will participate in a host of activities as part of The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ. Below are brief bios of the participating NBA legends:
- Oscar Robertson, a 12-time NBA All-Star, was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1963-64, won the 1971 NBA championship as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, and a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009. The NBA Western Conference Championship Trophy is named in his honor.
- Derrick Rose, a three-time NBA All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, became the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP at age 22 following the 2010-11 season.
- Mark Jackson was the 1987-88 NBA Rookie of the Year as a member of the Knicks, an NBA All-Star in 1989, and is sixth on the NBA’s all-time career assists list.
- John Starks, an NBA All-Star in 1994 with the Knicks, was the Sixth Man of the Year in 1997 and is the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made.
- Rudy Gay, a 2007 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, played 17 seasons in the NBA, won two FIBA World Cup gold medals with Team USA, and was known for his consistent scoring and versatility as a forward.
- Michael Carter-Williams was the 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year as a member of the 76ers.
“NBA District,” an interactive fan event celebrating the convergence of basketball, popular culture and the NBA, will open its doors to the public for the fourth consecutive year starting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Fans can participate in basketball activities on a full-size NBA court, take photos with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, purchase limited-edition and customized NBA merchandise, and attend panel sessions and enjoy other interactive experiences. Tickets for the NBA District are available via ticketmaster.ae.
As part of “NBA District” programming, artists Siilawy, Tul8te, DJ Jack, Stick No Bills and DJ D-Nice will perform at the “Friday Night Concert” on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. GST.
The “Sunday Coffee Social” on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. GST will feature a performance by local DJ Abu Dhabi House Movement.
Tickets to NBA District, including separate tickets for the “Friday Night Concert” and “Sunday Coffee Social” are available at ticketmaster.ae. Fans attending the “Sunday Coffee Social” will also gain access to NBA District when doors open to the public at 1:00 p.m. GST. Special ticket packages offering premium access, VIP experiences and hospitality are also available for purchase at nbaexperiences.com/nba-abu-dhabi-games-2025.
The legends will also attend The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ. Tickets for the games are on sale at etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae.
Fans can follow the NBA on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic. NBA fans in the UAE and across the Middle East can shop online at NBAStoreME.com and at the NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi for the widest selection of official NBA merchandise ever available in the region.
