VIDEO: Tiafoe given epic introduction by Ben Affleck ahead of NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

Sunday, 19 February 2023 at 02:30

Frances Tiafoe became the third tennis player to participate in the NBA-All-Star-Celebrity Game. Previously, the Canadians Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard had participated.

The exhibition game featured several stars from the world of entertainment and sports in a game organized by the NBA in Utah. American actor and director Ben Affleck presented the teams, which this year had businessman Ryan Smith and former basketball player Dwayne Wade as captains.

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Tiafoe played with Team Wade and received a standing ovation when introduced by two-time Academy award-winner: “He took the tennis world by storm this summer at the US Open. Let's see if he can do the same on the basketball court — Frances Tiafoe,"

'Big-foe' has commented several times that he is a big basketball fan, and commented that he was training for a few weeks for the exhibition: "I think I will just go out there and have fun. I mean I don’t want to look dumb, that’s why I’ve been training the past couple of weeks,” 24-year-old player said.

“But it is about just having fun and obviously, All Star Weekend, everyone is there, you meet so many cool people and people that I’ve been fans of forever. To see they want me there and call me a celebrity, I’m truly blessed and hopefully, it is the first of many."

In the first week of March, Carlos Alcaraz was scheduled to play an exhibition against Rafael Nadal, but after the injury suffered by 22-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz will have to play against the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Tiafoe.

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Bastien Fachan

@BastienFachan

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Frances Tiafoe's intro (by Ben Affleck!) at the #NBAAllStar Celebrity Game last night 🔥

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11:50 AM · Feb 18, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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