Nicki Minaj is set to headline the first-ever NBA Awards.
This week, the league and Turner Sports announced that the “Anaconda” rapper will be bringing her A-game to the main stage, while performing at the inaugural ceremony taking place at New York’s Basketball City at Pier 36.
In case you’re playing catch-up, the festivities will also be hosted by Minaj’s frequent collaborator and Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling recording artist and multi-faceted entertainer Drake. As previously reported, the labelmates recently reunited during this year’s Billboard Music Awards, where Drizzy — who won 13 awards — shouted out Minaj as the “love of his life” during his final acceptance speech of the night. “Nicki Minaj, I’m so glad we found our way back because I love you,” he added. “And I could never ever ever see it any other way.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUYDJeEBcoa/
The NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams, and several other award recipients will be revealed at the event. It is a big switch up for fans who grew accustomed to the the NBA announcing accolades separately, over the course of the playoffs.
The ceremony will also include contributions from the “Inside The NBA” crew comprised of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal alongside other celebrity presenters and the league’s biggest stars, multiple outlets report.
Of course, this isn’t the first time the Grammy-winning recording artist has partnered with the NBA. In addition to appearing on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” in 2012 and again in 2015, the 34-year-old performed at the NBA All-Star Game.
Watch it all go down on Monday, June 26, on TNT at 9 p.m. ET. In the meantime, fans can head over to www.nba.com/nbaawards to vote in categories like Dunk of the Year and Top Performance of the Year, among others. Will you be watching? Sound off in the comment section below.
