Barack Obama Talks Global Hoops at NBA All-Star Game/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Barack Obama attended the 75th NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles with Michelle Obama. He spoke with NBC’s Reggie Miller about basketball’s global expansion and the new U.S. vs. World format. Obama also discussed plans for the upcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Barack Obama NBA All-Star Game Interview Quick Looks
- Obama and Michelle attend 75th NBA All-Star Game
- Sideline interview with NBC’s Reggie Miller
- Praises basketball’s global growth
- Mentions stars like Jokic, Doncic and Wembanyama
- Discusses Obama Presidential Center opening in June
- Highlights sports as community-building tool
Deep Look: Barack Obama Speaks on Global Basketball, Presidential Center at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Former President Barack Obama made a high-profile appearance at the 75th NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Sunday, joining the star-studded crowd at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
Accompanied by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Obama sat courtside during the midseason showcase and later participated in a sideline interview with NBC analyst Reggie Miller.
The appearance came as Team Stars defeated Team Stripes 47–21 in the All-Star championship game, capping an entertaining evening built around the NBA’s revamped U.S. vs. World-inspired format.
Obama on Basketball’s Global Growth
During the interview, Obama emphasized how dramatically the sport has expanded beyond American borders.
“Basketball is now a global sport,” Obama said, pointing to the game’s accessibility as a key driver of its worldwide popularity. He noted that the sport requires minimal equipment, making it easy to organize and play — similar to soccer in that respect.
“…now on every continent, basketball is a huge, exciting and embraced sport,” he added.
Obama credited international superstars such as Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama for enhancing the league’s global appeal and showcasing elite talent from around the world.
The NBA’s experimental All-Star format this year — featuring American squads against a team representing international players — underscored that global reach.
Teasing and Chicago Memories
In lighter moments, Obama playfully teased Miller, recalling competitive matchups between Miller’s Indiana Pacers and the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s. A longtime Chicago resident with deep ties to the city, Obama has frequently spoken about his love for basketball and its influence on his life.
The 2026 All-Star Game marked another intersection of sports and culture in Los Angeles, with celebrities and public figures filling the arena.
Spotlight on the Obama Presidential Center
Beyond basketball, Obama used the platform to discuss the upcoming Obama Presidential Center, scheduled to open in June on Chicago’s South Side.
The center will include a museum, art spaces, a public library and a recording studio, along with a recreation of Michelle Obama’s White House garden.
But for Obama, one feature stands out: a full-sized basketball court.
“It will have all kinds of activities,” he said, explaining that sports can serve as an entry point for young people to build community, develop teamwork and experience joy.
The court and programming reflect his broader belief that athletics can help foster opportunity and civic engagement.
A Star-Studded All-Star Setting
Obama’s appearance added to the celebratory atmosphere of the NBA’s 75th All-Star edition in Southern California. The event blended competitive intensity with celebrity presence, a hallmark of All-Star Weekend.
As the league continues to expand internationally and experiment with new formats, the former president’s remarks reinforced basketball’s status as both a cultural force and a global language.
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