NEW YORK – For the first time NBA fans around the world will be able to experience State Farm All-Star Saturday Night and the 66^th NBA All-Star Game live in virtual reality, with the exception of fans in Canada, China and the United States.

The NBA and NextVR, the Official LEAGUE PASS VR partner of the NBA, will offer both events live in virtual reality on International NBA LEAGUE PASS for fans with a Google Daydream View or Samsung Gear VR headset, along with a compatible smartphone.  The live events are available for free to International NBA LEAGUE PASS subscribers and for individual purchase to non-subscribers.  Following each of the events, on-demand highlights in virtual reality will be available for free.  For more information, fans can visit http://nextvr.com/nba/international.

NBA All-Star 2017 will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets.  This includes the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. ET, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET, the 66^th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. ET, as well as behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews throughout the week.

Below are international highlights of this year’s global basketball celebration:

• 345 international media members from 43 countries and territories are heading to New Orleans to cover NBA All-Star 2017.

• 12 international television and radio networks from across Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East will do live onsite commentary.

• 13 television networks from China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, sub-Saharan Africa, Taiwan, Uruguay and Vietnam will broadcast NBA All-Star remotely for the first time.

• Fans around the world can participate in the All-Star experience through NBA LEAGUE PASS and the NBA App.  NBA TV international will take fans in 129 countries and territories behind the scenes during the week’s events.

• Fans around the world will be able to vote for the MVPs of NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2017 (via SMS and Tencent), the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge (via NBA.com, SMS, Twitter and Tencent) and the 66^th NBA All-Star Game (via Twitter and Tencent).

• Hall of Famer and Brazil native Oscar Schmidt, the all-time leading scorer in the history of basketball, will play in NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2017 on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.  Joining Schmidt in the game are Canadian actor Tom Cavanagh, Chinese actor and model Jiang Jinfu, and Canadian-Chinese singer and actor Kris Wu.

• The NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will conduct the third annual Basketball without Borders (BWB) Global Camp Feb. 17-19 at the New Orleans Pelicans’ practice facility, with Nike serving as the official partner.  Sixty-seven high school age boys and girls from 32 countries and territories across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe will have the opportunity to learn directly from NBA and FIBA players and coaches, including Cheick Diallo (New Orleans Pelicans; Mali), Wayne Ellington (Miami Heat; U.S.), Justin Holiday (New York Knicks; U.S.), Meyers Leonard (Portland Trail Blazers; U.S.), Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks; South Sudan; BWB Americas 2015/BWB Global 2016), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets; Canada; BWB Global 2015) and Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets; Democratic Republic of the Congo).

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece) will be the first Greek player ever to play in the All-Star Game.  Antetokounmpo is one of 13 international players, including former BWB campers Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies; Spain; BWB Europe 2003), Murray and Dario Saric (Philadelphia 76ers; Croatia; BWB Europe 2010), participating in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night and/or the All-Star Game.

• For the third consecutive year, the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge will have a USA vs. World format, featuring 10 players each from the U.S. and abroad.

About NBA All-Star 2017

NBA All-Star 2017 in New Orleans will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game.  The 66^th NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Smoothie King Center, will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages.  TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 15^th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 32^nd year of NBA All-Star coverage.  Smoothie King Center will also host the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 18.  The NBA All-Star Practice, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA Development League All-Star Game presented by Kumho Tire will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

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