Masai Russell and Reed Sheppard make NBA All-Star Weekend debuts

Wait, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the fastest women in the world participated in NBA All-Star Weekend? There aren’t many things Masai Russell can’t do. That’s what makes her one of the best all-time athletes to come out of the University of Kentucky.

Coming off the 2024 Paris Olympics where she earned gold in the 100 meter hurdles, Russell was invited to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, joining the likes of Druski, Kai Cenat, Shaboozey, Terrell Owens, Matt Barnes and Baron Davis in the event. The coaches were 2 Chainz, Jerry Rice and Barry Bonds — quite the combination of names and personalities in San Francisco.

How did Russell do? Well, she didn’t record a single stat in seven minutes of game action. The gold medalist joined Club Trillion with zero points, rebounds, assists, steals or blocks while going 0-3 from the field.

The former Wildcat did, however, compete with fellow track and field athlete Shelby McEwen, who won silver in Paris in the high jump, in a quarter-break Olympics Skills Challenge where Russell impressed — at least until the very end. The battle included a hurdle down the floor, a vertical jump, a full-court sprint and a layup, Russell crushing that part of the competition. Then came a free throw to win it, the former Cat unfortunately missing three straight to give McEwen an opening for the win.

So close, just couldn’t seal it at the line.

Olympians @masai_russell and @ShelbySm5 competed in a Skills Challenge at the quarter break 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Shelby McEwen earned a 3-point shot inside in the arc for Team Rice 🎯#RufflesCelebGame on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/lxwUQmKMWr

— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2025

Russell’s shot training at the Kentucky basketball facilities leading up to the event did not pay off on the big stage, unfortunately.

Masai Russel is ready for the NBA Celebrity All Star game tomorrow. Stay tuned.

🎥 @masai_russell pic.twitter.com/QKjAZbfyc7

— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) February 13, 2025

At least she’s got the running thing down to a science — that gold medal is forever.

Russell wasn’t the only former Cat to compete at All-Star Weekend on Friday with plenty more to come on Saturday and Sunday. For starters, Cason Wallace (OKC) and Reed Sheppard (HOU) were invited to the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars Game with the former sitting out due to a shoulder strain.

He wasn’t able to participate, but he did share a story during media about getting cooked by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — an All-Star Game starter on Sunday — when he first arrived in Oklahoma City as the former Wildcat’s new teammate.

Cason Wallace’s “welcome to the league” moment?

“I had to play 1-on-1 against Shai… yea he fried me.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/BCxXbW5ZLC

— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2025

Sheppard did, however, participate for Team G League, coached by Jeremy Lin. Teaming up with the likes of JD Davison, Leonard Miller, Mac McClung and Bryce McGowens, the former Wildcat went 0-3 overall and 0-2 from three with two assists, one rebound and one steal in game one, then 0-1 from three while adding a single rebound in game two — held scoreless overall, unfortunately. His team won the first game before losing in the second with Team C — a group featuring Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Zach Edey and Keyonte George — advanced to Sunday’s All-Star Game mini-tournament.

As for what’s ahead, Tyler Herro (MIA) will compete in tonight’s 3-point contest before joining Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) as participants in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. Anthony Davis (DAL) was also selected, but will miss the event due to injury.

Skal Labissiere and TyTy Washington will also participate in the G League Up Next Game ahead of the All-Star Game on Sunday.