For the fifth year in a row, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges celebrated his birthday in a grand fashion during his LudaDay Celebrity Weekend. With a barbecue, parties at various clubs, a pool party, a block party at Clark Atlanta University and a celebrity basketball game, there was definitely no shortage of things to do.
The celebrity basketball game was held at Morehouse College’s Forbes Arena on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Several hundred people lined up outside the arena on the hot, sunny afternoon and waited to join the fans on the inside. They all looked forward to a riveting game of b-ball featuring some of their favorite celebs.
The Black Squad came on the court first to get some practice in. It included R&B singer Sammie, Day 26 members Willie, Brian and Big Mike and producer Polow Da Don. Then, amid the screams of fans in the gym, Ludacris was introduced. He announced his star line up for the White Squad, assistant coach Larenz Tate, and the coach for the Black Squad, NBA star Kenyon Martin of the Denver Nuggets. Other celebrities included Nelly, Lance Gross, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor; superstar basketball phenom, Chris Paul; and the star of the game, R&B prince, Chris Brown.
All the celebrities and team members were running up and down the court, slamming and jamming, stealing, and dunking. It actually looked like a real NBA game.
During halftime the Clark Atlanta University dance team performed and Airtran Airlines presented Ludacris with a $25,000 check for the Ludacris Foundation. There were also cameo appearances by Bow Wow, Ne-Yo, Lil Scrappy, Sway from MTV and Usher’s ex-wife, Tameka Raymond.
The score was neck and neck the entire game but it came down to the final seconds with Chris Brown giving the crowd his best Michael Jackson impersonation. The White Squad (Home Team) won 88-86. At the end, celebrities Nelly, Larenz Tate, CB, Chris Paul and Ludacris threw various items of clothing, shoes and teddy bears into the stands.
Chaka Zulu, Ludacris’ manager and business partner, summed up the weekend:
“Each year we get bigger and better with more and more support. Ludacris has been consistent in every area in his career — music, television, and film. His philanthropy is an area that is just as important to him and he is committed to making an impact on his community and the world.”
–christa e. jackson
