It’s fitting that in a year when MVP talk seemed to dominate the NBA, the league is debuting a high-production awards show with a celebrity host.
The NBA has announced that the show—which will air June 26 on TNT—will be hosted by superstar rapper/singer Drake, who tweeted about the event Tuesday morning.
https://twitter.com/Drake/status/856870559841484800
The NBA sure isn’t messing around with this awards show. Drake is one of the biggest celebrities on the planet and about the biggest name the league could have asked for as a host. He’s also got sports hosting experience, having (charmingly) emceed the ESPYs in 2014.
Of course, Drake is a huge basketball fan and seems to pride himself in buddying around with NBA stars, so he was probably more than willing to host this event. It’ll be one more opportunity to dap up MVP candidates, his favorite pastime.
At the award show, the NBA will announce winners of the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year awards.
Some of the hype around the MVP will likely have died down by June (if it hasn’t already), but the idea of the award show as a pop culture event with a celebrity host could reignite public interest. Drake’s presence should also legitimize the ceremony for NBA players who generally don’t love awards handed out by media.
Maybe Drake’s beloved Doris Burke will even make an appearance.
