6 basketball legends to headline NBA District in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: The National Basketball Association and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi have announced that NBA legends Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose, Mark Jackson, John Starks, Rudy Gay and Michael Carter-Williams will headline an expanded fourth edition of NBA District from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 5 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. 

The interactive fan event will be held in conjunction with the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ, which will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers playing preseason games on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Fans will be able to participate in basketball activities on a full-size NBA court, take photos with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, purchase limited-edition and customized NBA merchandise, attend panel sessions with select legends, and more. 

Musical artists Siilawy, Tul8te, DJ Jack, Stick no bills and DJ D-Nice will headline a concert at NBA District on Friday, Oct. 3.  A “Sunday Coffee Rave” on Oct. 5 will feature a performance by local DJ Abu Dhabi House Movement. 

Below are brief bios of the participating NBA legends:

Robertson, a 12-time NBA All-Star, was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1963-64, won the 1971 NBA championship as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, is a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009. The NBA Western Conference Championship Trophy is named in his honor.

Rose, a three-time NBA All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, became the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP at age 22 following the 2010-11 season.

Jackson was the 1987-88 NBA Rookie of the Year as a member