US Trends

nba celebrity 3 point contest

The NBA does not currently run an official, separate “NBA celebrity 3 point contest” during All-Star Weekend, but the idea is trending in fan discussions and fits naturally beside the existing 3‑Point Contest.

NBA Celebrity 3 Point Contest – Quick Scoop

What actually exists now

Right now, All‑Star Weekend features:

  • The official 3‑Point Contest with NBA players only, first held in 1986 and still one of the most popular events.
  • A separate Celebrity Game where actors, musicians, influencers, and ex‑players play a full game, but not a formal celebrity 3‑point shootout.

The modern player 3‑Point Contest has produced some iconic champions:

  • Larry Bird won the first contest in 1986 and three‑peated (1986–1988).
  • Craig Hodges also won three times (1990–1992) and still holds records for most shots made in a round and most consecutive makes.
  • Recent winners include: Damian Lillard (2023, 2024), Karl‑Anthony Towns (2022, the only center to win), Stephen Curry (2021), and Tyler Herro (2025).

These moments are a big reason fans are now imagining a celebrity version of the same long‑range shootout.

Why a celebrity 3‑point contest is a trending topic

Fans on forums have started suggesting twists on All‑Star events, including:

  • Building a 3‑point contest that pairs “captivating stars” with non‑pro participants or fans for a fun, personality‑driven competition.
  • Using this kind of format to let audience members “shine and share their stories,” rather than just watching stars from a distance.

This fits broader trends:

  • The existing Celebrity Game already blends NBA nostalgia, pop culture, and internet personalities; a 3‑point contest would lean into the same formula.
  • Social media loves short, high‑stakes moments (a rack of threes with a countdown clock is perfect clip material).

You can think of it as taking the drama and clean format of the regular 3‑Point Contest and remixing it with the spontaneity of the Celebrity Game.

How a “perfect” NBA celebrity 3‑point contest could work

A fan‑friendly, TV‑ready celebrity 3‑point contest could look like this:

  1. Format & rules
    • Same basic rack layout and timed round as the official contest, so viewers instantly understand the stakes.
 * 2 rounds: a first round with all celebrities, then a final between the top 2 or 3 scorers.

 * Optional “Money Ball” rack or long‑range “Starry” shots like the current pro contest, but simplified so non‑pros aren’t overwhelmed.
  1. Casting and pairings
    • 4–6 celebrities with clear basketball ties (former high‑school/college players, creators known for hoop content, or musical artists who hoop in public).
    • Optional twist: each celeb is paired with one passionate fan, like the forum idea of matching “four captivating stars” with four audience members.
  1. Storytelling hooks
    • Short pre‑segment packages about why each celeb loves basketball, their “range,” or a funny practice montage.
 * Friendly trash talk segments modeled on the banter that drives interest in the main 3‑Point Contest and other Saturday events.
  1. Prizes and stakes
    • Charity donations tied to each made shot or to the winning team, echoing existing charity components in NBA events.
 * Social and digital content spinoffs: behind‑the‑scenes warmups, mic’d‑up racks, and fan voting on “most dramatic rack.”

This structure keeps the contest short, understandable, and meme‑ready, while still honoring the rhythm of the real 3‑Point Contest that fans love.

Mini history: why 3‑point contests work so well

The reason a celebrity version sounds so natural is that the original 3‑Point Contest has a clear, addictive formula:

  • Simple scoring: 5 racks, 5 balls per rack, bonus “money” balls, a visible score to chase.
  • Built‑in drama: Larry Bird famously walked into the 1988 contest and reportedly asked “Which one of you is finishing second?” before winning his third straight title.
  • Record‑chasing:
    • Craig Hodges’ 19 straight makes and 21/25 rounds are still legendary benchmarks.
* Stephen Curry’s huge scoring rounds and Devin Booker’s record 28 points in 2018 pushed difficulty and spectacle to new levels.

A celebrity contest could replicate that same countdown tension, just with more comedy, personality, and relatable jumpers.

Forum and fan discussion vibes

When fans talk about a potential NBA celebrity 3‑point contest, a few recurring angles pop up:

  • Entertainment value over perfection
    People want something fun and slightly chaotic, not a flawless shooting clinic. The “audience member plus star” pairing idea is all about making the setup “engaging and memorable,” not technically elite.
  • Personality first
    The current All‑Star ecosystem rewards personality: mic’d‑up moments, jokes on the bench, and viral clips from rehearsals and behind‑the‑scenes walkthroughs.
  • Logical extension of current events
    With the official 3‑Point Contest still thriving and generating memorable highlights every year, layering a celebrity version onto the same night would feel like a natural “bonus track” rather than a strange experiment.

“Bring together four captivating stars and match them with four enthusiastic audience members for an unforgettable experience.” – a real forum‑style pitch that captures exactly what fans imagine this event could be.

Quick facts table (current NBA 3‑Point Contest, not celebrity)

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Item Details
First year held 1986, won by Larry Bird.
Most titles Larry Bird and Craig Hodges (3 each).
Recent winners 2022 Karl-Anthony Towns, 2023 & 2024 Damian Lillard, 2025 Tyler Herro.
Notable records Craig Hodges’ 19 straight makes and 21/25 rounds; Devin Booker’s 28-point round; Curry’s high-scoring performances.
Celebrity equivalent No official NBA celebrity 3-point contest yet; fans mostly discuss it as a hypothetical or side idea.

TL;DR – nba celebrity 3 point contest

  • There is no official, standalone NBA celebrity 3‑point contest right now, just the regular player 3‑Point Contest and a separate Celebrity Game.
  • Fans are increasingly pitching the idea online, often as a star‑plus‑fan event designed to be “engaging and memorable.”
  • The long‑running success and drama of the real 3‑Point Contest (from Larry Bird and Craig Hodges to Damian Lillard and Tyler Herro) make a celebrity version feel like a natural next step, not a stretch.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.