International players take over the NBA All-Star Game

The 72nd NBA All-Star 2023 Game will take place in Salt Lake City on February 19, 2023. The event will be hosted at Vivint Arena by the Utah Jazz. After thirty years, since 1993, the NBA All-Star Weekend returns to Vivint Arena.

This year as well, the teams were elected through votes. Giannis and LeBron were named the captains, who will then have the liberty to choose their own team ahead of Sunday’s game.

Ja Morant, Lauri Markkanen, and Joel Embiid will be replacing Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson, and Anthony Davis, as the latter had to sit out the NBA All-Star 2023 game due to injury.

Lauri Markkanen, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be making their debut all-star appearance.

The current coach of the Celtics will be the head coach for Team Giannis, and the Nuggets coach, Malone, will be coaching Team LeBron.

For the first time, the NBA All-Star Draft will be played before the NBA All-Star Game.

As the NBA gains popularity globally this year, the game expands, with 25 international players from 17 countries joining this weekend.

International starters joining the 72nd NBA All-Star Game:

Luka Doncic	Dallas Mavericks	Slovenia
Joel Embiid	Philadelphia 76ers	Cameroon
Kyrie Irving	Mavericks	Australia
Nikola Jokic	Denver Nuggets	Serbia
Lauri Markkanen	Utah Jazz	Finland
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Oklahoma City Thunder	Canada
Domantas Sabonis	Sacramento Kings	Lithuania
Pascal Siakam	Toronto Raptors	Cameroon

Jordan Rising Stars players:

Sidy Cissoko	NBA G League Ignite	France
Josh Giddey	Thunder	Australia
Mojave King	NBA G League Ignite	Australia
Bennedict Mathurin	Indiana Pacers	Canada/Haiti
Leonard Miller	NBA G League Ignite	Canada
Andrew Nembhard	Pacers	Canada
Alperen Sengun	Houston Rockets	Turkey
Jeremy Sochan	San Antonio Spurs	UK/Poland
Franz Wagner	Orlando Magic	Germany

The STARRY 3-Point Contest players:

Lauri Markkanen	Utah Jazz	Finland
Buddy Hield	Pacers	Bahamas

The Kia Skills Challenge players:

Giannis Antetokounmpo	Bucks	Greece / Nigeria
Thanasis Antetokounmpo	Bucks	Greece / Nigeria
Alex Antetokounmpo	Wisconsin Herd	Greece / Nigeria

The NBA G League Next Up Game:

Charles Bassey	Austin Spurs	Nigeria
Sidy Cissoko	NBA G League Ignite	France
Mojave King	NBA G League Ignite	Australia
Leonard Miller	NBA G League Ignite	Canada
Neemias Queta	Stockton Kings	Portugal
Babacar Sane	NBA G League Ignite	Senegal
Gui Santos	Santa Cruz Warriors	Brazil