Caleb Williams joins All-Star celebrity 3‑point contest; Jared McCain walks away the winner
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams spent part of NBA All‑Star Weekend in Los Angeles trading the playbook for a shooting shirt, taking part in a corporate celebrity three‑point contest Friday night (ET). The event was billed as a lighthearted addition to the weekend, and it ended with Thunder guard Jared McCain winning the title.
Williams showed up to have fun
Head coach Ben Johnson had encouraged Williams to take a break from football, and the rookie quarterback obliged by signing up for the celebrity event. Williams posted a short message on social media ahead of the contest — "Not a hooper, man. Gonna go have some fun. " — signaling that his appearance was intended as entertainment rather than elite competition. The former Heisman Trophy winner is familiar with Los Angeles from his college career, and he’s no stranger to casual shooting: a mini‑hoop inside the Bears’ locker room at Halas Hall is a frequent diversion.
The eclectic field included druski and other nontraditional entrants
The lineup mixed athletes, entertainers and creators. Williams stood alongside internet personality druski, streamer PlaqueBoy Max, BMX rider Nigel Sylvester, former NBA player Richard Jefferson and NBA guard Jared McCain. The State Farm‑sponsored event was staged as a Friday night attraction at the weekend’s convention center venue, distinct from the official celebrity game and Saturday’s All‑Star Three‑Point Contest.
McCain took control in both rounds
Jared McCain entered as the clear favorite and showed why. In the opening round he led the field with 11 points, while PlaqueBoy Max advanced as runner‑up with nine. Jefferson and Sylvester each scored seven in round one. Druski put up five points, and Williams finished the opening round with four. In the finals, McCain sealed the win with 12 points to PlaqueBoy Max’s 10, taking top honors comfortably and leaving no question about the outcome.
What the result means for participants
For McCain, the victory added a lighter notch to a busy season and a turbulent few weeks that included a midseason trade. For Williams, the evening served his coach’s aim of stepping away from the grind and taking part in a public, sponsor‑driven event. For creators and athletes such as druski and PlaqueBoy Max, the contest offered exposure and a chance to mix with current NBA players and alumni on a national stage.
All‑Star Weekend context and corporate staging
The three‑point exhibition was part of the broader All‑Star Weekend ecosystem, which pairs marquee games and competitions with branded fan experiences and activations. This corporate contest was held at the convention center space used for weekend programming and was separate from the league’s televised celebrity game and the official Saturday night three‑point shootout. Events like this underscore how the All‑Star break blends on‑court competition with entertainment and sponsorship showcases.
Williams’ short detour back to football
Williams’ appearance was brief and framed as a diversion rather than a serious athletic gambit. He left Los Angeles with the weekend’s experience added to his off‑field resume: a moment in the spotlight that mixed sport, entertainment and marketing. While the scores won’t factor into any team statistics, the encounter illustrated how modern sports weekends create crossover moments between athletes, creators and fans.
