LANSING - Hollywood met hoops Saturday as stars laced up for charity.
Eleven stars from across the country participated in the Hollywood Hoop Fest to benefit MSU’s Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. The event, which took place at Lansing’s Eastern High School, 220 N. Pennsylvania Ave., was sponsored by the Office of Minority Affairs and ASMSU’s Coalition for Multicultural Education.
“We know celebrities bring people out,” said Terk Stevens, director of the Coalition for Multicultural Education. “They are the only ones who can bring out diverse, multicultural audiences to assemble at one place.”
ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
The celebrities played basketball in front of more than 500 fans. Throughout the event, participants took pictures and signed autographs. Black Entertainment Television’s Hits From the Street hosted the event and offered play-by-play for the crowd.
“I think this event was phenomenal,” Stevens said. “It is the first time something like this has happened in Lansing - it is going to be bigger next year.”
Detroit Pistons rookie guard and former MSU guard Mateen Cleaves participated the event.
“Whenever you can come out and see some kids and interact it is great,” Cleaves said. “Anytime they have something like this, I want to be a part of it.”
Cleaves said more charitable events should follow.
“Events like these are great,” he said. “Free basketball camps, free clinics for the kids (and) anti-drug classes are great for the kids also.”
Cleaves also said he enjoyed watching some of Hollywood’s brightest in a hometown atmosphere.
“It has been fun to come and hang out with the stars, I’m happy I could be a part of it,” he said.
“It is always nice to come back home - always,” he said.
Joining Cleaves were celebrities like Fredro Starr of “Save the Last Dance,” Morris Chestnut of “The Best Man” and Chris Spencer of “The Jamie Foxx Show.”
“I had a show with (rapper) NaS in the Bronx today, but I put that aside to come out here for the Hollywood game because Martin Luther King is a good fund,” said Starr, who also was promoting the release of his new CD, “Firestarr.”
“I think that young black people should have the opportunity to go to college.”
Khalil Kain, from “The Tiger Woods Story,” Lisa Raye of “The Players Club” and Harold Perrineau Jr. from the HBO series “Oz” also attended.
The stars appeared for no charge, and Stevens estimated the event brought in $5,000 to $10,000 for the fund.
Stevens said he hopes it will become an annual event and gain larger audiences.
“We are hoping to eventually be able to bring in $30,000 to $40,000 in one night,” he said. “That helps a lot of students.”
Starr said he hopes it becomes an annual event.
“It brings a lot of people together, and it is a peaceful event. A lot of little kids don’t usually get to see the stars that they see on TV,” he said. “They can meet the stars and get autographs here.”
Spectators like kinesiology senior Mercede Hurt also hopes the event continues.
“That was what Martin Luther King was about - there were all types of different people there, it was diverse,” she said.
“I think it is a good opportunity for people to meet Hollywood actors, especially for families so kids can see positive people in their communities,” she said. “They should have more events, especially with Black History Month coming up. It is an important time.”
