Key Takeaways
- NBA All-Star 2026 will engage over 100,000 Los Angeles residents through social impact and youth basketball programming from February 11-15
- The LA Clippers distributed 5,600+ free outdoor basketball hoops to LA families through the All-Star Homecourt Hoops initiative launched in December
- Seven LA-based entrepreneurs will compete for $200,000 in cash prizes at the NBA Foundation All-Star Pitch Competition on February 12
- More than 1,000 local youth will participate in Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinics featuring the Luka Dončić Foundation’s “Total Hoops” curriculum on February 13
- The initiative includes facility renovations, volunteer projects supporting 112 wildfire-affected households, and the 5th annual NBA HBCU Classic
Large-Scale Youth Basketball Access Drives Community Reach
The NBA and LA Clippers’ community impact strategy for All-Star 2026 centers on youth basketball participation and facility access. The Clippers’ All-Star Homecourt Hoops program, launched December 3, represents the initiative’s largest single touchpoint, distributing over 5,600 NBA All-Star-branded outdoor basketball hoops to LA families at no cost.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA will conduct multiple programming tracks throughout the week. On February 13, more than 1,000 local students from schools across Los Angeles will participate in skills clinics led by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinicians and current and former professional players. The day’s programming includes a pilot clinic featuring the “Total Hoops” curriculum, a coaching philosophy developed by Lakers guard and NBA All-Star Luka Dončić in partnership with the Search Institute. The curriculum emphasizes joy, creativity, and holistic player development rather than traditional competitive metrics.
Additional Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programming continues through the weekend with a coaches clinic led by 2026 NBA All-Star Game head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, a Wheelchair Basketball Clinic, and a Special Olympics All-Star Showcase.
Infrastructure Investment and Economic Development Programming
Physical facility upgrades form a core component of the All-Star community strategy. On February 12, the NBA, National Basketball Players Association, LA Clippers, State Farm, and Heart of America will unveil renovations to the Weingart YMCA Wellness & Aquatic Center. The project, part of the NBA Cares State Farm Assist Tracker Legacy Project and timed with the YMCA’s 175th anniversary in the U.S., includes updates to a STEAM lab, teen center, and basketball court.
The same day, the NBA Foundation will host its All-Star Pitch Competition in collaboration with the LA Clippers, Comcast NBCUniversal, KKR, Westbound Equity, Amplitude, and American Express. Seven Los Angeles-based entrepreneurs will present to celebrity judges, competing for $200,000 in total cash prizes. The competition represents the Foundation’s approach to economic mobility through small business development in communities where All-Star events take place.
Volunteer Mobilization and Wildfire Response
More than 500 volunteers will participate in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service on February 13. In collaboration with the LA Clippers, Comcast NBCUniversal, Nike, Habitat for Humanity, and Baby2Baby, volunteers will construct wall-frame home structures and assemble essential supply packages. The service projects specifically support students affected by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and new mothers with babies across the country.
The NBA, Comcast NBCUniversal, and LA Clippers have provided resources to 112 households impacted by the wildfires over the course of the season. The Day of Service connects to the NBA’s broader partnership with America250, Stand Together, and Be The People, reflecting the league’s structured approach to volunteer engagement around tentpole events.
HBCU Programming and Health Initiatives Round Out Schedule
The 2026 NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T takes place February 13 at 8 p.m. PT at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, featuring Hampton University Pirates and North Carolina A&T Aggies men’s basketball teams. The game marks the fifth year of the HBCU Classic at NBA All-Star. HBCU students will participate in career development programming, industry exposure opportunities, and All-Star experiences throughout the week. The NBA and Foot Locker will host a public pop-up event at LA Live on February 12 to welcome both schools.
Additional programming includes an AI Impact Huddle on February 13, convened by the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition and NBPA in partnership with Brotherhood Crusade, Social Justice Learning Institute, Transformative Good Lab.ai, and OpenAI Academy. The invitation-only event will explore AI tools and innovations related to justice, community safety, workforce readiness, and well-being.
The NBA Total Health All-Star Walk presented by Evernorth Health Services will gather more than 800 community members and All-Star guests at Edward Vincent Jr. Park on February 15. The second annual walk, in partnership with GirlTREK and the LA Clippers, includes no-cost skin cancer screenings and programming focused on physical, mental, and community well-being.
Operational Model for Event-Based Community Engagement
The All-Star 2026 community programming demonstrates how major sports organizations structure impact initiatives around marquee events. The model includes direct equipment distribution (5,600+ basketball hoops), facility infrastructure investment (YMCA renovations), economic development support ($200,000 pitch competition), volunteer mobilization (500+ participants), youth sports programming (1,000+ clinic participants), and health services (800+ walk participants, free screenings).
The initiative also addresses environmental operations. The NBA and LA Clippers partnered with accredited organizations to match 100% of arena energy consumption with renewable energy certificates, reduce and divert waste in alignment with Intuit Dome’s zero waste operations goals, pilot digital solutions supporting paper-free systems, and encourage public transportation use. Intuit Dome holds distinction as the first professional sports venue to achieve Platinum certification under LEED BD+C v4/4.1.
The LA Clippers also launched a 3v3 City of Stars All-Star Alliance Basketball Tournament to engage LA County through competition and community programming. The tournament structure provides another model for tournament operators considering how to tie competitive events to broader community outcomes.
Events begin February 11 and conclude with the 75th NBA All-Star Game on February 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The full schedule of All-Star 2026 social impact and youth basketball events is available at https://cares.nba.com/2026/02/02/nba-all-star-2026/.
via: NBA
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