Caleb Williams set for celebrity 3 point contest during NBA All-Star Weekend
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is trading shoulder pads for a rack of basketballs this Friday night (ET), entering a sponsored celebrity 3 point contest in Los Angeles as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
Who's in the field
Williams headlines a mixed roster of athletes and creators slated for the shootout, including Thunder guard Jared McCain, former NBA forward Richard Jefferson, BMX star Nigel Sylvester, comedian Druski, creator PlaqueBoy Max, hooper-influencer Cam Wilder, and the brand mascot known as Jake from State Farm. With McCain the lone active NBA player, he opens as the clear favorite against a field designed to blend hoops credibility with crossover star power.
Why Williams is taking part
Head coach Ben Johnson urged his quarterback to unplug from football briefly this offseason, and this lighthearted detour fits the plan. Williams, who won a Heisman Trophy in the host city during his USC days, has kept his competitive fire burning on the mini-hoop tucked inside the Bears’ locker room. He framed the All-Star cameo as a no-pressure outing, posting on social media that he’s “not a hooper” and is just out to have fun. The reset comes after a strong first season in Johnson’s system, where refinements to footwork and comfort with concepts fueled steady growth.
How the event fits into All-Star Weekend
This celebrity 3 point contest is part of a wider sponsored slate tied to All-Star festivities in the Los Angeles area, with the action set for Friday at the new arena in Inglewood. It is not the All-Star Celebrity Game, and it is separate from the league’s official Three-Point Contest that takes center stage on Saturday night. In recent years, organizers have leaned into crossover appeal for auxiliary events, pairing former pros and current players with creators to broaden the weekend’s reach.
What to watch in the shootout
Expect pace and personality. McCain’s smooth release and game reps give him an obvious edge, but the rack-to-rack format rewards rhythm more than pedigree. Jefferson brings veteran touch, Sylvester’s balance and body control could translate to a clean stroke, and the creators have logged plenty of reps in high-visibility pickup settings. For Williams, it’s about settling into a repeatable base and finding a groove early; the transition from a football motion to a compact jumper can be tricky over a full run of racks. Even so, the quarterback’s improvisational flair has surprised before, and a hot hand for one round can flip a bracket.
What it means for the Bears’ QB
Beyond the novelty, this is a low-stakes tune-up for competitive instincts as Williams dives into a pivotal offseason. Johnson has emphasized layering more comfort and timing into the passing game after a near-4, 000-yard campaign with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in Year 1. The quarterback’s next step centers on precision—footwork on timing routes, command at the line, and marrying concepts with protection plans. A fun night on the hardwood won’t change the playbook, but breaking routine can sharpen focus once he’s back at Halas Hall. For a player already building momentum, embracing a different stage offers a quick reset before the grind resumes.
Tipoff for the celebrity 3 point contest lands Friday evening (ET) in Los Angeles. However the bracket unfolds, Williams’ cameo adds a fresh twist to All-Star Friday and a welcome breather before football takes over again.
