Watch: American tennis icon Frances Tiafoe shoots some hoops ahead of his highly anticipated NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appearance

Frances Tiafoe is all set to make his highly anticipated debut at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, February 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will feature celebrities on Team Dwayne and Team Ryan playing against each other. The American tennis icon has been included on Team Dwayne Wade's roster.

Frances Tiafoe gave a peek into his preparations for the coveted event by posting a video of him shooting hoops and training with former basketball player Jack Paul McClinton. The World No. 15 donned Washington Wizards player Bradley Beal’s jersey to ease into his upcoming stint. Previously, the 2022 US Open semifinalist had mentioned how Beal had been a source of encouragement for him to go big in tennis.

“Brad Beal talks to me all the time, kind of just [tells me to], ‘Keep going, keep doing your thing, never get satisfied,’” Tiafoe said, as per the ATP website.

Tiafoe added that he considers Beal a close friend.

“He’s probably the closest guy I am [friends with] in the league. Obviously him coming to all those matches at the Open, we’re really close, and our relationship got me really close to the [Washington Wizards] team,” he added.

The 25-year-old also expressed his delight at being chosen for the event and revealed that he only recently received the confirmation through an email.

“It’s an honor man, it’s an honor.” Tiafoe said “I still didn’t really know until I got that email, but once I got that email that ‘You’re going to All Star’ I was like, ‘This is crazy!’”

The American sporting sensation, who recently contested the Dallas Open, where he faced a quarterfinal exit, has now landed in Utah ahead of Friday's event.

Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend Ayan Broomfield, who is accompanying the athlete, shared her excitement about his participation with fans on social media.

“This weekend >>>” she wrote.

Frances Tiafoe and Ayan Broomfield on instagram

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Apart from Frances Tiafoe, Naomi Osaka’s boyfriend Cordae set to feature in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

Naomi Osaka and her boyfriend Cordae are expecting their first child together

Frances Tiafoe isn’t the only participant associated with the tennis world. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s boyfriend Cordae will also be seen making his mark at the NBA All-Star Celebrity game. The soon-to-be father, however, will represent Frances Tiafoe’s opponent team - Team Ryan Smith.

Cordae was recently featured in a video by the NBA where he was captured training for the big event.

“Trying to learn as much as I possibly can about getting decent at basketball so I don’t embarrass my whole family and everybody that I know,” the rapper jokingly remarked.

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will be broadcasted on Friday, February 17 at 7 pm ET on ESPN.