Jennifer Hudson participates in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in honor of her late brother, Jason.
During Tuesday’s episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the 42-year-old singer and actress shared that her long-standing dream of participating in the event was coming true.
“Do y’all know the NBA All-Star Game is coming up?” Jennifer Hudson questioned the audience. “And you know I’m a basketball mom, right? I always go every year with my son and his cousins. I call them Camp David ’cause they’re all basketball heads,” she continued, with a snapshot of herself and 14-year-old son David Daniel at an All-Star Game displayed on the screen.
The talk show host, who shares her son with ex-fiancé David Otunga, went on to disclose that the game holds significance as it falls on the same date as her late brother’s birthday annually. Hudson’s brother, along with her mother Darnell Donerson and 7-year-old nephew Julian King, tragically lost their lives in October 2008. William Balfour, her former brother-in-law, was convicted of the murders.
“His birthday was February 17th and he was big on basketball too,” Hudson said of Jason. “So that makes me a huge basketball fan and in honor of him I always make a point to celebrate his birthday that way.”
Expressing her desire to be part of the Celebrity All-Star Game team, Hudson revealed, “Guess what, it’s finally happening! I have been invited to play on the NBA All-Star Basketball Team!”
“You see I’m tall enough, right? I’ve been under my kid’s direction, I’m going into training and everything,” Hudson continued. “I’m calling everybody because I’ve got to make the son proud ’cause I can’t get out there and don’t know what I’m doing.”
She emphasized her serious approach to the game, stating that she would be removing her heels, glasses, hair, and “nails” for the occasion.
“I’m gonna throw some braids up there, Mama Hud is gonna be ready for this game because I’ve got to make my kid proud, boys proud.”
Hudson disclosed seeking advice from professional basketball coach and former player Derek Fisher, 49, and showcased a training video with NBA shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews.
“Overall, I cannot shame these kids and I want to make my brother proud on his heavenly birthday,” Hudson said. “And after I become the MVP certified celebrity MVP I’m gonna come back and tell y’all all about it.”
The show transitioned to a segment of Fisher training Hudson in ball handling and control, followed by a practice session for her shooting skills. The studio crowd cheered as Hudson attempted her first shot, but the ball ended up flying over the hoop, eliciting laughter from the star and the audience.
“Don’t push it at the basket, you gotta make sure it still goes up a little bit,” Fisher explained as he assured Hudson that missed shots “happen to the best of us.”
Hudson’s second shot came close to making it into the hoop, and undeterred, she swiftly took a third shot, which went straight in. “Yes!” she exclaimed, receiving a high-five from Fisher while the audience cheered.