The National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game. It is the main event of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Traditionally, the All-Star Game featured a conference-based format, featuring a team composed of all of the top ranked basketball players in the Eastern Conference and another team of all-stars from the Western Conference. From 2018 to 2023, the NBA employed a different format featuring two teams captained by the top leading vote-getter from each conference. Following the selection of the all-star starters and reserves, the captains choose from a pool of all-stars to form their teams regardless of conference. Twelve players—five starters and seven reserves—from each conference are chosen from what used to be a pool of 120 players—60 players from each conference with 24 guards and 24 frontcourts (forwards and centers)—listed on the ballots by a panel of sport writers and broadcasters to all active players. The starters are chosen by a combination of fans, media, and current players. Fans may vote using a variety of online platforms, and account for 50% of the vote, with the media and current players each accounting for 25%.[1] The reserves are chosen by voting among the head coaches of each team's particular conference. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, and can select two guards, three front court players, and two players regardless of positions.[2] If a player is unable to participate due to injury, the NBA commissioner will select a replacement.[3] The 1999 All-Star Game was canceled due to the league's lockout.[4]
The following is a list of players who have been selected for the NBA All-Star Game at least once in their career.[5] Note that the number indicates the player's number of selections—not the number of games played. For instance, Michael Jordan was named to the All-Star Game roster 14 times, but missed the 1986 game due to injury.[6] As of February 1, 2024, 453 players have been selected to an All-Star Game roster at least once. Of these, 312 of them have earned multiple selections to the game.
LeBron James holds the record for most All-Star Game selections (20), most consecutive selections (20), most games played (20), and most consecutive games played (20). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second in overall selections with 19. Kobe Bryant is second in consecutive selections with 17. Bob Cousy and John Havlicek are tied for second most consecutive games played, appearing in 13 straight All-Star Games. Tim Duncan also played in 13 straight All-Star Games if the lockout-cancelled 1999 game is excluded. Several players were named to All-Star Game rosters, but never actually played in the game due to injury.
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The number of times the player has been selected to play in the All-Star Game
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Denotes player who is still active as of the 2023–24 season
a Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[551] He missed the 1973 All-Star Game for personal reasons.[552]
b When Hakeem Olajuwon arrived in the United States, the University of Houston incorrectly spelled his first name "Akeem". Olajuwon used that spelling until March 9, 1991, when he announced that he would add an H.[553][554]
^"all-star". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
^"Michael Jordan Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
^A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years; player was not eligible for induction upon the commencement of the 2017–18 NBA season.
^ abcd"2010 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
^"2014 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
^ abcd"2015 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
^ abcde"2021 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^ ab"1984 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
^ ab"2009 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
^ ab"2016 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
^ ab"1977 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
^ ab"1980 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
^"2020 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
^"2017 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
^ abcd"2018 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
^"2019 NBA All-Star Game". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.