LOS ANGELES, Africa’s growing influence across the global basketball and entertainment ecosystem took center stage this NBA All-Star Weekend as Africa Courtside Holding (ACH) hosted its annual Africa All-Star Soirée at Lucia LA.
The private, invite-only gathering brought together more than 300 VIP guests, including NBA legends, international investors, and cultural tastemakers, for an evening that powerfully reflected the continent’s rising momentum within the NBA landscape.
Among the high-profile attendees were Tyla, Wizkid, Wale, Damson Idris, Zara Larsson, MNEK, Serge Ibaka, Tracy McGrady, Chiney Ogwumike, Festus Ezeli, Garcelle Beauvais, and Holly Robinson Peete, underscoring the event’s unique positioning at the intersection of sport, music, fashion, and global culture.
A Strategic Moment for African Basketball
Hosted by actor, producer, and entrepreneur Boris Kodjoe on behalf of Africa Courtside Holding, the soirée highlighted the continent’s expanding role within the NBA ecosystem.
Kodjoe, long recognized as a vocal advocate for African excellence in global sports and culture, used the platform to spotlight the unprecedented momentum building across Africa’s basketball economy, particularly as investment conversations around ownership and infrastructure continue to accelerate.
The evening also marked a significant milestone for the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Led by NBA Africa investors and BAL President Amadou Gallo, the event formally introduced the league’s groundbreaking new franchising model, which will open team ownership to investors for the first time.
This evolution is widely expected to:
- Accelerate sustainable investment.
- Expand professional opportunities.
- Strengthen long-term value creation across Africa’s premier basketball league.
Culture, Music, and Fashion Converge
True to ACH’s vision, the Africa All-Star Soirée went far beyond sport. The night delivered a vibrant cultural showcase blending music, fashion, and creative expression, a reflection of Africa’s multidimensional global impact.
High-energy DJ sets from DJ Tunez, DJ Lavish, DJ Bobby Trends, Jae Murphy, and Juls kept the room energized, while celebrated Senegalese designer Adama Paris presented a fashion moment spotlighting contemporary African design on an international stage.
Guests were also treated to an exclusive installation of custom basketballs by renowned New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley, including The Earl of Wochester and Morpheus Basketball, a striking fusion of heritage, craftsmanship, and sport that drew strong attention throughout the evening.
Building Africa’s Sports Economy
Presented in collaboration with the Basketball Africa League, Hot 97, Trace+, Seed Project, Full Circle Africa, Amplify Africa, and Bacardi, the soirée reinforced a broader mission, positioning Africa not just as a talent pipeline, but as a serious investment frontier within the global sports and live-entertainment economy.
As strategic conversations around ownership, infrastructure, and cultural influence continue to deepen, Africa Courtside Holding’s presence during NBA All-Star Weekend signals a clear shift. Africa is increasingly helping shape the future of the game.
