Overview
- Barack and Michelle Obama sat courtside at the NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome, drawing a loud ovation while seated next to Hall of Famer Julius Erving.
- Obama calmly caught a loose ball that flew toward the sideline during play and returned it to Devin Booker, a clip that rapidly circulated across social media.
- In an on-court NBC interview with Reggie Miller, Obama praised the NBA’s international growth and traded lighthearted Bulls–Pacers barbs, referencing Miller’s debated push-off on Michael Jordan.
- Obama confirmed the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park will open in June 2026, featuring a museum, art spaces, a recording studio, a public library, and a recreation area modeled on Michelle’s garden.
- He said the center will include a full-length basketball court for community programming and later invited NBA players and the public via Instagram, as daughter Sasha made a rare appearance courtside.